Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher
Michael Hiatt, Vice President
Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor, christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Hope Peters, Staff Reporter, hpeter@timespublications.com
Katya Mendoza, Staff Reporter, kmendoza@timespublications.com
Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter, kschaffner@timespublications.com
Contributors: David Abbott, Rob Brezsny, Rand Carlson, Tom Danehy, Xavier Otero, Linda Ray, Bridgette Redman, Will Shortz
Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com
Tonya Mildenberg, Graphic Designer, tmildenberg@timespublications.com
Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org
Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com
TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com
Gary Tackett, Account Executive, gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Kristin Chester, Account Executive, kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Candace Murray, Account Executive, candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tvondrak@timespublications.com
Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@timespublications.com
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I HAPPENED to meet a friend of a friend named Manny. He is about my age and he was originally from East LA, while I grew up in the ghetto part of the San Fernando Valley, in The Projects not far from where Rodney King was beaten.
Manny and I talked about shared experiences —sporting events, riots, earthquakes. The he asked me who my favorite DJ had been. Back in the 1960s, everybody had a favorite DJ. These people were Radio Gods. There was The Real Don Steele, a coked-out madman after whom the TV character Dr. Johnny Fever (“WKRP In Cincinnati”) was fashioned.
There were names like Charlie Tuna, Sam Riddle and Robert W. Morgan. And
then there was my personal favorite, Humble Harve. He had the greatest FM DJ, pimp-daddy voice. (You can hear his voice in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”) He was the coolest until he went home one afternoon, confronted his adulterous wife, then shot and killed her. He went on the run; for three weeks, his possible whereabouts were front-page LA Times news. He eventually turned himself in, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, served three years and was back on the air for another 40 years.
Richard Pryor used to tell the story about how his dad would sit around at the barber shop talking with the other guys about boxing. They would argue about
boxers, but there was always one name that would bring things to a screeching halt. Somebody would say, “Well, what if he would have fought Sugar Ray Robinson?”
The place would erupt. “Aw, Man! Sugar!”
In radio in Southern California and the entire American Southwest, dating back to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and continuing on until his mellow voice was silenced just a couple weeks ago, there was one name that eclipsed all others and that was Art Laboe.
nic and there was never any trouble. His radio show was also enormously popular. He would read dedications on the air and he noticed that a lot of people requested songs from four or five years in the past. (Chris Rock talked about this in a less-sensitive manner when he said that guys were always going to like the music that was playing the first time they had sex.) It was in the early 1960s that Laboe coined (and then later trademarked) the phrase “Oldie but goodie.”
you would like more
contact the Psychology Department,
East University
If so, you are invited to participate in a University of Arizona research study of a novel psychotherapy for adults recently separated from their partners. The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this newly developed therapy.
The therapy program will involve six 1-hour therapy sessions over three months, as well as completion of various surveys, streamof-consciousness recordings of your separation experience, and an exit interview. The total time commitment for this study is estimated to be eight hours.
Some might argue for Wolfman Jack, but the fact is that, back then, there were so many radio stations in Los Angeles (including some that, by law, had to sign o at sunset), we couldn’t get Wolfman Jack, even with his station, XERB, broadcasting with 500,000 watts from Tijuana. You had to head up through The Grapevine toward Bakersfield or out into the desert toward Palm Springs to pick up The Wolfman. Even then, it was no contest. Wolfman had audacity; Art Laboe had ethnicity. And sincerity.
He put together one of the first compilation albums of old R&B songs. It was on the Billboard Top 100 list for three years. He built a recording studio and promoted concerts, but always there was the radio show with the dedications. He would read them in a straightforward manner, never judgmental. “This goes out from Little Slinky to mi ruca, Cat’s Eyes.” (We could never understand why a guy would want to be known as Little anything.) A disturbing number of dedications came from Chino, where the State Prison is.
eligibility criteria
in
currently
Tucson,
separated
When he was just 13, Laboe built his own transmitter and (illegally) started broadcasting in Los Angeles. After serving in World War II and attending Stanford, he got into radio full time, hitting his stride in the mid-1950s. He started playing rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues at a time when Los Angeles radio was mostly country and western or easy listening. He was an immediate success and, to some, a giant threat.
He would put on shows at the El Monte Legion Stadium, packing 3,000 young people in for a show and dance. Back then, Los Angeles was shockingly segregated. (In the 1960s, there was still a law on the books in Burbank making it illegal for a Black person to be on the streets after sundown.) But Laboe’s dances were multi-eth-
Laboe broadcast on multiple stations throughout the Southwest and was on Tucson radio for decades, often on Sunday nights. We all thought that he was some kind of Hispanic and that his real last name was Laborin. It turns out that he was Armenian, born Art Egnoian in Salt Lake City. But he was completely adopted by the Latino community.
Laboe is the only non-Latino ever to serve as grand marshal of the East LA Christmas Parade. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a fountain in his honor in El Monte. But mostly he lives on in the hearts of people of multiple generations, people who would call in from Tucson or Albuquerque or East LA, asking for his help in mending a broken heart or reigniting a tattered romance.
Art Laboe died a couple weeks ago at age 97, the ultimate Oldie But Goodie.
you recently separated from your significant other? Are you experiencing emotional distress because of your separation?
“We aim to transform lives through adaptive sports.”
Halloween season is the one time of year you can show the world that evil monster haunting your wildest dreams. Films at The Screening Room will show you how, and Horror-Con at the Rialto Theatre will sell you everything you need to nerd-out about it. Sample film titles? The Spanish Version of “Dracula”. The 40th anniversary screening of the terrifying “Tenebrae.” B-movie night with “The Mask” in 3D. “Dr. Saville’s Horror Show” and so very many more.
Tucson Terror Fest Film Fest, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 30, The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street, tucsonterrorfest.com, $55.09 (includes Horror-Con pass and fee) or $6 each screening. Terror Trader’s Tucson Terror Fest Horror-Con, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23, 191 Toole, 191 E. Toole Avenue, rialtotheatre.com, $5 daily.
Power and privilege may never have been more scrutinized in politics and the press than they are today. This new play by Chris Bush updates the classic Faustian dilemma with a twist: Imagine Faust as a feminist. Suddenly control over her destiny is ripped from today’s headlines. Who can see the megalomania in the room, let alone take it down? Johanna Faustus would trade her soul to Lucifer just to master her own body.
7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 20 through Oct. 29 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre, The Historic Y, 738 N. Fifth Avenue, scoundrelandscamp. org, $30, $28 age 65 and older, $15 student, teacher or theater artist.
The Southern Arizona Barrel Racing Association celebrates its 40th anniversary with a weekend event to benefit the Arizona Make-a-Wish Foundation. At 2 p.m., Friday, vendors and a silent auction will open, followed by a 20-pole event at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday start with pee-wee and youth activities at 9 a.m., followed by the opening of vendors and ra es and competition in 50-pole events. Check out the stallion auction at 32auctions.com/sabra2022
by Linda RayLisa Morales’ unique perspective, from the heart of a poet in a vortex of cultural influences and deeply personal experiences, has delivered a mature and relatable collection in her new album, “She Ought to Be King.” Some will remember her from the popular Sisters Morales. Her sister Roberta died last year. With her band, Morales will share the new songs and old favorites on Hotel Congress’ outdoor stage.
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E. Congress Street, rhythmandroots.org, $25 to $35.
The Tucson Jazz Festival is bringing a parade of noted jazz artists through town in the run-up to their mid-January fest. Itamar Borochov, began playing trumpet at 11 and discovered the breadth of American jazz soon thereafter. His music reflects Middle Eastern and North African influences as well as scales and cadences he grew up with in synagogue. Festival executive director Khris Dodge said, “It is rare to find an artist like Itamar, who blends sacred Sephardic and jazz music.”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, Tucson Jewish Community Center, The Sculpture Garden, 3800 E. River Road, tucsonjcc.org, $25
Imagine all of your pop icons made of pumpkins — whole pumpkins, lit from the inside, each doing its part to become, say, Han Solo. Elaborate, often enormous, wire frames contain the pumpkins in displays of, for example, life-sized dinosaurs, a gira e, a sunken ship surrounded by sea life. All the Disney princesses are featured, as are “The Munsters,” Darth Vader, everyone from “Harry Potter” books, a very realistic motorcycle, and so forth for about an acre. You’re right; you can’t imagine it.
6 to 10:30 p.m. nightly through Oct. 31, Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road, glowingpumpkins.com, $25, $91 family four-pack, $44 VIP
2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21; 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 23, Pima County Fairgrounds, Livestock Barn, 11300 S. Houghton Road, sazbra.org, free for spectators.
This is our pick for kids this weekend. We are promised blacksmithing demonstrations, historical exhibits and craft-making, including sugar skulls (Calavera) and paper jack-o-lanterns. Everyone’s favorite, though, will likely be talking to the reenactors, dressed up and acting like it’s the 19th century. Indigenous, Mexican, Spanish and English people all contributed to life in the Fort Lowell community.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, Fort Lowell Park, 2900 N. Craycroft Road, donations welcome
Local artists and craft artisans gather in this elegantly planted, foothills setting to welcome browsing, chatting and buying. They work in dozens of media, from metal and wood to wool and silk. It’s a likely source for a unique gift or the perfect piece to finish a wardrobe or a room. All purchases benefit the Tucson arts community. There will be demonstrations and live music throughout.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, saaca. org/laefineart.html, free
Ronstadt family gatherings are legendary for being centered around music. The family’s best-known member, Linda Ronstadt, has credited her family for her musicianship, which won her renown throughout the world in her decades-long career. Several other members of the extended family perform or have performed music professionally. Four generations of Ronstadts will play and sing together on Sunday afternoon, in the spirit of welcoming the whole community to one of those musical family gatherings.
4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress Street, foxtucson.com, $46 to $75
The
Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher
Michael Hiatt, Vice President
Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor, christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Hope Peters, Staff Reporter, hpeter@timespublications.com
Katya Mendoza, Staff Reporter, kmendoza@timespublications.com
Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter, kschaffner@timespublications.com
Contributors: Summer Aguirre, Linda Ray, Ron Sanzone Annika Tomlin, Aidan Marcus Wohl
Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@timespublications.com
Tonya Mildenberg, Graphic Designer, tmildenberg@timespublications.com
Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org
Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com
ADVERTISING
TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com
Gary Tackett, Account Executive, gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Kristin Chester, Account Executive, kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Candace Murray, Account Executive, candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com
Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tvondrak@timespublications.com
Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@timespublications.com
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
6300 N. Swan
520-299-9191, degrazia.org
What started as a small construction project in the early 1950s is now the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, designed and built by artist Ettore Ted DeGrazia. The first building to go up was an adobe mission chapel out of bricks made from the mud of the 10-acre property. Now you, too, may visit the open-roofed Chapel of the Sun, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as DeGrazia’s works in ever-changing exhibits that trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. You may also tour the grounds, visit DeGrazia’s home and see the cactus corral. Plus, there’s a pretty sweet gift shop and a gorgeous view of the mountains.
3035 N. Swan Road
520-615-3001, madaras.com
Etherton Gallery
340 S. Convent Avenue 520-624-7370, ethertongallery.com
Tucson Museum of Art 140 N. Main Avenue 520-624-2333, tucsonmuseumofart.org
Established in 1924 as the Tucson Fine Arts Association, the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block features original and traveling exhibitions centering on Latin American and East Asian art, art of the American West, and modern and contemporary art. In addition to guided tours, the TMA offers pay-what-you-wish events such as Second SundAZe, guest lectures from community members, artists and curators, markets and more. Wander through the “Monica Aissa Martinez: Nothing in Stasis” exhibit and enjoy lunch at Café a la C’art during your visit,
but don’t forget to check out the museum store on your way out!
University of Arizona Museum of Art
1031 N. Olive Road 520-621-7567, artmuseum.arizona.edu
The Center for Creative Photography
1030 N. Olive Road 520-621-7968, ccp.arizona.edu
Jessica Gonzalez
facebook.com/jessicagonzalesart jessicagonzalesart.com
Who doesn’t love a good mural? Tucson has many and some of the best come from Tucson muralist and fine artist Jessica Gonzalez. Visitors have seen her work but may not know it’s hers. She does the show murals at the Rialto. Then there’s the mural at the Union on 6th Apartments and the Cactus Grill in the UA Student Union Memorial Center. Her work is colorful, vibrant and approachable. And, oh yeah, she works on commission, too.
1930 E. Grant Road 520-429-4614, joepagac.net
Diana Madaras
3035 N. Swan Road 520-615-3001, madaras.com
The Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-7777 for show times 520-795-0844 for box office 520-322-LOFT (5638) for all other inquiries, loftcinema.org
The Loft Cinema has real staying power, even through the pandemic. Established in 1972, this year marks its 50th anniversary with signature films from 1972. The Loft screens new independent and foreign films and documentaries, along with classic art films, interactive events including a monthly short film contest and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” singalongs and cult favorites. Its concession stand features a wide variety of beers, wine, tamales, sandwiches and Ethiopian wraps as well as other upscale items. The Loft is all about building community by celebrating the art and diversity of film.
4811 E. Grant Rd Suite 150 520-209-2728, roadhousecinemas.com
100 S. Houghton Road 1-888-407-9874, galaxytheatres.com
Tucson Desert Art Museum
7000 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-202-3888, tucsondart.org
A relative newcomer to Tucson’s museum collection, Tucson Desert Art Museum opened in late 2013 and strives to inform and, dare we say, educate us about the culture, history and art of our desert home. There are classrooms and meeting and auditorium spaces in the 25,000-square-foot building, sure, but then there’s also the lovely, spacious exhibition space. Just waiting for your visit are excellent examples of pre-1940s Navajo and Hopi weavings. Look for chief’s blankets, saddle blankets, optical
Heavy Hitters: Mike LeDonne, Eric Alexander, Peter Washington, Kenny Washington, Vincent Herring, & Jeremy Pelt Elliot Mason
Howard Alden Diego Figueiredo & Ken Peplowski Angelo Versace, Jason Carder, Brice Winston, Scott Black, & Arthur Vint
featuring Gunhild Carling, Elliot Mason, Ada Redd Austin
Arturo O’Farrill Emmet Cohen Trio Pedrito Martinez & Alfredo Rodriguez Duo Samara Joy Tatiana Eva-Marie with the Avalon Jazz Band Christian Sands Lakecia Benjamin The Guide Armen Donelian Trio Tall Tall Trees
The Black Market Trust Alex Weitz Quartet & MORE!
art textiles and Yei weavings. That’s not all. Look for contemporary and classic Southwest paintings, Navajo sand paintings, and early armaments and artifacts.
520-343-5977, tipsy-picassos.square.site
633 W. 18th Street 520-884-7814, sonoranglass.org
45 S. Sixth Avenue, 520-622-3341
5646 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-886-1516, chicagomusicstore.com
Since 1919, the Chicago (Music) Store bought and sold everything under the sun.” To date, it has a wide variety of musical instruments; equipment; and accessories to buy, rent and repair. Take a lesson and learn how to finally play that ukulele, accordion or whatever your fancy. A frequent winner in this category and a Tucson staple, the Chicago Music Store is a third-generation family-owned business that has all of your music-related needs.
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Midtown - 3330 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-5767
Northwest - 3733 W. Ina Road, 520-579-0303
East - 6230 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-748-9555, bookmans.com
Instrumental Music Center
7063 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-733-7334, imc-az.com
7010 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com
In 1990, the Gaslight Theatre moved into its current location, the old Jerry Lewis Theatre at Broadway and Kolb, where it has been entertaining Tucson residents. The Gaslight Theatre runs musical comedy melodramas six nights a week and five different shows per year, such as Westerns, sci-fi spoofs and its famous Christmas shows. The Gaslight provides comfort foods, soda and loads of free popcorn. Enjoy your favorite beer, wine, cocktails or an adult milkshake. Gaslight also holds music concerts every Monday.
Temple of Music and Art Box Office
330 S. Scott Avenue
1-833-ATC-SEAT; 1-833-282-7328, atc.org
300 E. University Boulevard, Suite 150 520-551-2053, theroguetheatre.org
lydiamillet.net
Lydia Millet is a fairly prolific writer who has produced interesting stuff. Her most recent effort, “Dinosaurs,” came out Oct. 11. Still, if you want to know “How the Dead Dream” or how George Bush became the “Dark Prince of Love,” visit a local book purveyor and pick up a title or two. Millet is the recipient of many awards, the most recent being in 2020, when she was named a National Book Awards Finalist for Fiction for the novel “A Children’s Bible.” Millet also writes book reviews, opinion pieces and essays, among other things.
AJ Flick
facebook.com/writerajflick Byrd Bailor simonandschuster.com
5811 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-275-1085, breakoutstudios.online
There’s more than one way to get fit: for example, dancing. At BreakOut Studios, patrons can transform their lives through the magic of stepping to the music. They feature all sorts of dance, mainly urban styles, beginning with the basics, like hip-hop, jazz and street styles. For the more experienced dancers, there’s ballet and advanced ballet. Guests aren’t limited to dance, however. There’s Pilates, yoga and, for the really adventurous, belly dancing. You must be at least 13 years old to participate. You may join if you like or buy classes one at a time.
4563 S. Park Avenue 520-544-9543, vivaperformingarts.com
Dancing in the Streets
88 W. 38th St. 520-867-8489, www.ditsaz.org
Ballet Tucson
200 S. Tucson Boulevard 520-903-1445, ballettucson.org
Each season the company entertains Tucson with historical classics as well as innovative contemporary works offering something for everyone’s taste. Upcoming performances include the fall concert featuring the Ballet Tucson premiere of Justin
By Tennessee Williams, Directed by Chanel Bragg
By Steven
Directed by
Peck’s “In Creases” being performed Friday, Nov. 11, to Sunday, Nov. 13, as well as “The Nutcracker” in partnership with Tucson Symphony Orchestra performed Thursday, Dec. 22, through Saturday, Dec. 24.
UA School of Dance
1737 E. University Boulevard 520-621-4698, dance.arizona.edu
650 N. Sixth Avenue 520-629-0237, zuzimoveit.org
520-490-2794, joepagac.net/signs
Local mural artist Joe Pagac’s work is all over town. The flying whales on the southeast corner of Grant and Speed way — yep, his. He also paints on canvas, creates fabrications (what he calls them), and signs, which you have also seen around town, especially if at the Guada lajara Grill. Pagac said he loves to share his art with our Tucson community, and he also loves sunsets.
Ben’s Bells
40 W. Broadway Boulevard 520-622-1379, bensbells.org
Jewish Community Center
Sculpture Garden
3800 E. River Road 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org
3233 S. Pinal Vista
520-514-0935, tucsonjazzinstitute.com
Students learn to play big band-style swing at the Tucson Jazz Institute, which was created to support area band directors and their programs and to help middle and high school students develop skills in instru mental jazz performance. There are classes in Basie combos, Basie big band, Ellington combos, Kenton combos and more. Classes are conveniently scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays and in the summer.
6066 N. Oracle Road 520-293-1225, kustars.com
Allegro School of Music
4641 N. First Avenue 6979 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-670-9162, allegroschoolofmusic.net
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
3003 S. Country Club Road 520-622-0525, communityfoodbank.org
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has served Southern Arizona since 1975 in response to the root causes of hunger and seeks to restore dignity, health, hope and opportunities to the communities it serves. The local nonprofit organization offers emergency food assistance, free meals, education, training and so much more. Named the Food Bank of the Year in 2018 by Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks and hunger relief organizations, the Community Food Bank strives for innovative solutions to end hunger. It is always accepting donations and offers many opportunities for volunteering, contributing to its vision of a “healthy,
hunger-free community.”
READER RECOMMENDED
Pima Animal Care Center
4000 N. Silverbell Road 520-724-5900, webcms.pima.gov
Humane Society of Southern Arizona 635 W. Roger Road 520-327-6088, hssaz.org
3500 S. 12th Avenue, 520-440-3200 mariachiaztlandepueblohs.com
Pueblo High School’s Mariachi Band, Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School has traveled far and wide to perform traditional, regional Mexican music with a great sense of pride. Tucson’s hardest-working youth mariachi is made up of student musicians who have earned rankings in mariachi festivals and is even available to play at private events.
Desert View High School Mariachi Band
4101 E. Valencia Road
520-545-5100
Luz de Luna 363 N. El Camino del Norte 520-906-6023, mariachiluzdeluna.com
The Fourth Avenue Street Fair
fourthavenue.org/street-fair
Get your fill of food truck snacks and
drinks and an eclectic mix of objet d’art at the Fourth Avenue Street Fair. It happens twice a year — in December and April. It can be crowded and hot, but it’s fun to see the pieces vendors have created. The show is juried, so what’s for sale is interesting and worth having. Some of it is art, some craft and some for kids. You never know. There are also busking street performers and a performance stage. Don’t worry about parking; there are plenty of places offering a slot
Tucson Festival of Books tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
Film Fest
Multiple locations, tucsonymca.org
YMCA is the top pick for best gyms. Why? Well the Y offers more than just workouts. The YMCA of Southern Arizona is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential through the development of spirit, mind and body. There are four convenient locations for the whole family to join.
VASA Fitness
3920 E. Grant Road 520-232-2044, vasafitness.com
Desert Sports & Fitness
Northeast - 2480 N. Pantano Road 520-722-6300
Southwest - 3030 W. Valencia, Suite 272 520-908-3319 desertsportsandfitness.com
Multiple locations
520-322-6142, yogaoasis.com
Stretch away stress with affordable, accessible and expertly taught yoga classes in studio, outdoors and online. With 18 choices of yoga classes, aspiring yogi will find a session that suits them. Choose from basics that explore the art and science of yoga to prenatal or Mellow Mondays, a yin-inspired class designed to balance the nervous system and quiet the mind.
Fourth Avenue Yoga
413 E. Fifth Street, 4thavenueyoga.com
Session Yoga
123 S. Eastbourne Avenue 520-272-1146, sessionyoga.com
Old Pueblo CrossFit
7225 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 170 520-392-8329, oldpueblocrossfit.com
Fitness isn’t just what you do, but how you do it. The staff at Old Pueblo CrossFit say they believe in health and wellness for a lifetime. Regardless of starting
79 year old Deb S. Recently traveled to Tucson to receive acupuncture treatments for her peripheral neuropathy symptoms which became unbearable after having Covid in July of 2022. When Deb arrived on August 13th, she shared that she experienced both numbness and stabbing pain in her hands and that her toes felt like cotton balls. She frequently dropped dishes due to her inability to sense what she was holding. Deb's legs felt disjointed and she had trouble maintaining balance which made her worry about falling. Walking short distances had become so di cult that she had to use hiking poles just to get around. In short, Deb was struggling to complete simple every day activities due to the pain and numbness in her hands and feet caused by peripheral neuropathy, and felt very discouraged about life.
“Even buttoning my shirt sometimes took up to an hour as I just couldn't get my fingers to do what I needed them to.”
The most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling, and weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet, sudden sharp, stabbing, or shocking pain sensations, burning pain, loss of touch sensation, clumsiness and trouble using hands to pick up objects or fasten clothing, loss of balance and falling. Fortunately for Deb, Acupuncturist Renée Stucklen has been reversing the e ects of peripheral neuropathy for over 10 years - without invasive surgeries or medications that come with uncomfortable side e ects.
“After only 6 weeks of regular treatments, I can sleep through the night without pain waking me up, and I am walking at least one hour every day without my poles. I even started to jog again!”
If you are living a life in constant pain and discomfort, or if you are struggling with the same symptoms as a result of Idiopathic Neuropathy or Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Acupuncturist Renée and the incredible team at Tucson Acupuncture and Wellness can help!
Read more success stories at www.TucsonAcupunctureAndWellness.com
Acupuncturist Renée is now accepting new patients but only for a limited time. To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for her personalized and comprehensive treatments, an initial consultation is required.
physical abilities, there are supportive members and coaches who help others achieve their fitness goals. OPC offers a mix of classes including bodybuilding and physique, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and CrossFit.
Multiple locations, f45training.com
CrossFit Fixx
8987 E. Tanque Verde Road, Suite 353 520-317-6154, crossfitfixx.com
4015 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-327-4926
vantagebowlingcenters.com
Serving Tucson since 1955, Lucky Strike is not your average bowling alley. For 65 years, Lucky Strike has been hosting most of the community’s parties and events, such as company events, birthday parties, family reunions, wedding rehearsals and baby showers. It offers yummy, fresh New York-style pizza or three buffet options for any event. Lucky Strike offers open bowling, league bowling, junior/youth/family bowling and after-school programs, and unlim-
ited bowling Sunday to Thursday. In the words of Walter (John Goodman) to The Dude (Jeff Bridges) in “The Big Lebowski,” “Let’s go bowling.”
501 W. River Road
520-887-2695, fiestalanesaz.com
Cactus Bowl
3665 S. 16th Avenue 520-327-6561, cactusbowlaz.com
North - 78 W. River Road, 520-253-7198 South - 2075 E. Benson Highway 520-373-5779, earthshealing.org
Voted best dispensary for the second time, Earth’s Healing has two convenient locations. Arizona recreational marijuana sales soar over medical use sales. However, Earth’s Healing offers both adult use and medical use. Both its North and South locations are open for in-store shopping, but they encourage patients and customers to continue to order online or by phone. Earth’s Healing offers the usual fare of flower, prerolls, vaporizers, concentrates, edibles, topicals and CBD. But the dispensaries also offer a variety
of accessories, such as cone tips, clipper lighters, silicone wax container for convenient storing, metallic rolling tray, king-size rolling papers, dab tools and cell batteries, to name a few.
The Prime Leaf
Midtown - 4220 E. Speedway Boulevard
University - 1525 N. Park Avenue 520-447-7463, theprimeleaf.com
221 E. Sixth Street, Suite 105 thedowntowndispensary.com
D2 Dispensary - 7105 E. 22nd Street 520-214-3232, d2dispensary.com
Nature Med
5390 W. Ina Road
520-620-9123, naturemedaz.com
Open since 2011, Nature Med has been providing customers and patients with some of the best cannabis and CBD products available. Nature Med offers CBD flowers, CBD wellness tinctures, salves, bath fizzers, liniments and CBD gummies. It also sells marijuana products for medical use and recreational use. Its knowledgeable budtenders are available to answer questions. There is a delivery
team, as well as an express window for customers that allows for easy, hassle-free pickup at the dispensary.
READER RECOMMENDED
Earth’s Healing
North - 78 W. River Road, 520-253-7198
South - 2075 E. Benson Highway 520-373-5779, earthshealing.org
The Green Halo
7710 S. Wilmot Road 520-664-2251, thegreenhalo.com
Many locations 520-547-4737, jackfurriers.com
What began more than six decades ago as a two-bay brake shop on Speedway is now a 14-store chain, located all around Tucson. The franchise has even made its way into Sierra Vista. Jack Furrier and sons have made a living from offering quality, reliable tires and car repairs. In addition, they promise to make things right if customers are not satisfied with their work. Just ask their long-term customers.
Buck’s Automotive Service Center 4360 N. First Street 520-292-0904, bucksautomotive.com
Here are just a few reasons why people repeatedly seek our help:
• Proven results! We have recovered OVER $2 BILLION total for injured people.
• With our voted-best law firm, you NEVER pay out-of-pocket costs.
• We don’t get paid until we win your case.
• Available 24/7 so that you get help when you need it most.
• 11 law offices throughout Arizona.
• A caring and empathetic staff invested in your well-being.
• Always provide straightforward and honest advice.
• We collect millions of dollars EVERY WEEK for our clients!
• Client-focused and always trial ready.
2502 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-620-1957, toyshoptucson.com
Various locations, mistercarwash.com
Following monsoon season or in need of a regular car wash, Mister Car Wash is on the job making sure that its customers are at the center of everything they do. The Mister Car Wash brand is anchored in quality, speed and commitment to cre ating a memorable customer experience. The formula is simple: make people feel good by delivering a clean, dry, shiny car every time.
Multiple locations, octopuscarwashaz.com
Surf Thru Express Car Wash
Multiple locations, surfthruexpress.com
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress Street, 520-622-8848
Known as Downtown Tucson’s most unique hotel, Hotel Congress is an icon ic landmark in a desert oasis. The cen tenarian hotel is the cornerstone of the
Downtown scene that hosts the annual HOCO Fest as well as Dillinger Days, in commemoration of Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger. Book your stay in a haunted room and head to the Cup Cafe for a tasty brunch and order one of its sensational bloody Marys. For dinner, walk across the street to Maynard’s or enjoy lite bites at the borderlands jazz club, the Century Room followed by clos ing down HOCO’s Plaza.
Arizona Inn
2200 E. Elm Street 520-325-1541, arizonainn.com
Hacienda Del Sol 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road 520-299-1501, haciendadelsol.com
Multiple locations
anthonyscigars.com
Anthony’s Cigar Emporium (A.C.E) has been in business for over 25 years as a premier cigar retailer. The emporium has offered only the best in cigars from around the world, featuring fine walk-in humidors, a knowledgeable staff and a wide selection of products at all five
Southern Arizona locations. Check out A.C.E. smoking deals on some of the finest cigars in town, and watch for upcoming events by A.C.E. at its website.
7151 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-885-1457
moonsmokeshopaz.com (coming soon)
2161 W. Drexel Road 520-578-8688, chicossmokeshop.com
3384 E. River Road 520-299-9471, greenthingsaz.com
Take a relaxing stroll through Tucson’s favorite plant nursery, Green Things.
Located at the base of the foothills in the Binghampton Historic District since 1970, this family-owned business is home to 33 greenhouses alongside its sister companies, Zócalo Village and Green Lady Hydroponics. Green Things offers annual and perennial outdoor plants, houseplants, trees and shrubs, cactuses and agave, herbs and veggies, succulents, soil and mulch. To buy or rent, Green Things meets all of your green thumb needs.
Mesquite Valley Growers
8005 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-721-8600
facebook.com/mesquitevalleygrowersnursery
Harlow Gardens
5620 E. Pima Street
520-298-3303, harlowgardens.com
Tucson
Multiple locations, jimclick.com
Those searching for cars will surely find one at one of Jim Click’s 13 locations.
He sells Jeeps, Chrysler, Dodge, Rams, Fords, Hyundais, Kias, Lincolns, Mazdas and Nissans. Enough said.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Subaru
4901 N. Oracle Road 1-888-611-5896, tucsonsubaru.com
Chapman Tucson Multiple locations, chapmantucson.com
OK Feed & Supply
3701 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-325-0122, okfeedaz.com
OK Feed & Supply is stocked full of history as well as animal food and supplies. Orville Kelvin “Bum” Post and his family founded the store in 1936 and owned it through 1973. The feed store has remained a locally and family-owned business that continues to evolve to meet the needs of its customers. As Tucson’s growth has swallowed up much of the rural living area, OK Feed began stocking holistic and high-quality feed for livestock and pets. With premium holistic brands, the feed store administers nutritional training to its employees, who pass it on to customers.
PAWSH at Park Place
(Humane Society of Southern Arizona) 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-881-7406, hssaz.org
Arizona Feeds Country Stores
4743 N. Highway Drive, 520-887-2202
2701 S. Sixth Avenue, 520-622-2321 afcountrystore.com
Heirloom Farmers Markets
- Rillito Park
4502 N. First Avenue, 520-882-2157
More than a farmers market, this flagship location is a destination. Tucson’s largest year-round farmers market is in the southeast corner of Rillito Park, along the bike trail known as the Loop. It hosts farmers, ranchers and artisan food purveyors who bring local produce and fresh cuisine. The market has become one of Tucson’s special gastronomy destina-
tions, complete with four pavilions that provide shade for a 5,000-square-foot shopping area, and along with the center entertainment circle.
4280 N. Campbell Avenue 520-529-2775, stphilipsplaza.com/market
Santa Cruz River Farmers Market
221 S. Avenida del Convento 520-622-0525, communityfoodbank.org
Tucson Tea Company, tucsontea.com
This woman-owned company offers an array of small-batch and herbal tea blends using high-quality loose-leaf teas from around the world, including organic and fair-trade loose-leaf teas. Farmers market visitors can enjoy one of the cold iced teas that Tucson Tea offers or browse and smell some of its most popular loose-leaf teas and tisane blends.
AZ Baking Company
azbakingcompany.com
Alpine Goat Girl alpinegoatgirl.com
3731 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-628-1613, shopsws.com
Small businesses that need computer repairs can call SWS Computers, which, according to readers, is the place to start.
SWS specializes in providing in-person and remote computer services. It’s also a store. It carries lots of desktops with names like NZXT, Cougar and Corsair. Military, first responders and students get a 5% discount.
2784 N. Campbell Avenue 520-304-8300, azcomputerguru.com
3136 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-321-9077, simutek.com
1011 N. Pantano
520-546-2275, barkavenuedogwash.com
This sweet doggie salon has a full-ser vice bath that provides pooches with upscale service at an affordable price. Bark Avenue also offers a do-it-yourself bath without the hassle of prepping and cleaning up afterward. It is a win-win for those dirty dogs and tired parents, and Bark Avenue supplies all the bath ing products like shampoo, conditioner, brushes, dryer and ear wipes. Bark’s easy
entry waist-high tubs are convenient for cleaning your cuddly arf arf from head to tail.
8963 E. Tanque Verde Road, Suite 191 520-332-6255
Eastside - 2406 S. Harrison Road 520-999-2887
Mobile pet grooming by appointment 520-334-8333
velvetbowpetgrooming.com
2420 N. Jackrabbit Avenue, 520-882-7577
1900 W. Grant Road, 520-882-7729 centralpetaz.com
3736 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-321-4235, speedwayvet.com
Furry, four-legged babies are in good hands at Speedway Veterinary Hospital, which is an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association.
The AAHA standards cover nearly every aspect of their hospital, including sur gery, pharmacy, laboratory, exam facil ities, pet health records, cleanliness,
emergency services, dental and nurs ing care, anesthesiology and diagnos tic imaging. Only approximately 15% of animal hospitals in North America are accredited by AAHA.
University Pet Clinic
1506 N. Tucson Boulevard 520-795-7016, universitypetclinic.com
Pet Doctor Animal Hospital
6464 N. Oracle Road 520-829-5166, petdoctorx.com
Buffalo Exchange
2001 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-0508
Buffalo Trading Post 2740 S. Kinney Road 520-578-0226, buffaloexchange.com
Buffalo Exchange is a pioneer in the resale fashion industry, buying, selling and trading clothing and accessories since 1974. It offers customers 25% in cash or 50% in trade on the spot for cur rent trends, designer, everyday styles, vintage and one-of-a-kind fashion finds. Buffalo Exchange has over 40 stores — and growing — but here in Southern Arizona, it exchanges at two locations.
Thrift Store
1010 S. Wilmot Road 520-327-0010, hssaz.org
15970 N. Oracle Road, Catalina 520-825-9101, goldengooseaz.com
Tucson Massage Company
1222 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-333-0166
tucsonmassagecompany.com
Tucson Massage Company has thought of everything so its guests can let their minds be free. All massages include com plimentary hot towels, aromatherapy and organic massage lotion and oil. Indulge in a variety of massages from deep tissue and prenatal to Thai massage and cou ple’s massages.
Gadabout
Multiple locations, gadabout.com
Rooted Integrative Wellness
1600 N. Tucson Boulevard, Suites 100 and 120 520-326-8300, rootedintegrativewellness.com
Ronnie’s Handyman and Home Service
520-297-8724, ronnieshandyman.com
One of the most frustrating issues about owning a home is finding someone who will repair it. Enter Ronnie’s Handyman and Home Service. One of the owners,
Ronnie Peloquin, is semi-retired, but he has an entire team of technicians just aching to make your life easier. Based in Oro Valley, Ronnie’s technicians will accept jobs all over Pima County. The company can do electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, painting and furniture assembly. Though they are not licensed contractors by choice, they are bonded and insured.
A Plus Handyman Service
520-409-1116, aplushandymanservices.net
330 Days of Sunshine-Do It All Dell
2800 S. Mario Ranch Lane 520-500-4646, doitalldell.com
Multiple locations moonsmokeshopaz.com
Customer service and expert hands-on knowledge are top priorities at Moon Smoke Shop. As an advocate of the local economy, it carries as many local products as possible. From all-things tobacco to cigarettes and incense, Moon Smoke Shop is chock-full of choices for everyone’s preferences.
READER RECOMMENDED
Chico’s Smoke Shop
2161 W. Drexel Road 520-578-8688, chicossmokeshop.com
Sticky’s Smoke Shop
6447 N. Oracle 520-898-0687, facebook.com/stickys.smoke
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass
Resort & Spa
3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard
520-792-3500, marriott.com
Located at the base of the Tucson Mountains, the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa is where comfort and relaxation intersect. Enjoy luxurious amenities such as the Hashani Spa for some rejuvenation, Arnold Palmerdesigned golf courses, the Starr Canyon Lazy River and Monsoon Falls Waterslide, and authentic Mexican cuisine at Salud. The location of this luxury resort is surrounded by the Sonoran Desert’s natural flora and fauna with breathtaking views of the grandeur Tucson has to offer.
READER RECOMMENDED
Westin La Paloma 3800 E. Sunrise Drive 520-742-6000, marriott.com
Loews Ventana Canyon 7000 N. Resort Drive 520-299-2020, loewshotels.com
Tucson Acupuncture and Wellness
282 E. River Road, Suite 101 520-849-9003
tucsonacupunctureandwellness.com
Renee Stucklen founded Tucson Acupuncture and Wellness with the vision of bringing the highest standard of patient care to Southern Arizona. She uses an effective and holistic alternative to specialists, medications and surgeries. Using cutting-edge, innovative medical solutions with the time-proven wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, Tucson Acupunture and Wellness provides patients with unparalleled care for everyone who walks in the door.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tumbleweeds Health Center 4826 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-838-4430, tumbleweedshealthcenter.com
Blue Oak Clinic 4008 E. Pima Street 520-322-9355, blueoakclinic.com
520-490-7875, jadebeall.com
If only we could see ourselves through others’ eyes. Well, you can, and you are beautiful. At least that’s how Jade Beal looks at you. She is on a journey to show women, no matter their size or age, that they are beautiful. Beal specializes in “truthful images of women to inspire feeling irreplaceably beautiful and good about one’s body as a counter-balance to the airbrushed, photoshopped imagery of a single body shape and age that dominates mainstream media,” she said. Check out her work. She isn’t lying. She does breastfeeding shots, elder shots and body positivity shots. Also in her online portfolio are photos of Zapatistas, Standing Rock Water Protectors, and Syrian and Afghan refugees.
Sean Parker
520-276-9142, sean-parker.com
Jackie Sterna jackiesterna.com
2323 N. Campbell Avenue
520-977-1900
Lerner and Rowe’s award-winning personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have recovered nearly $2 billion for their clients, including close to $600 million in the last three years alone. Knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of personal injury law, Lerner and Rowe has been dedicated to client service and satisfaction since its founding in 2005. Representatives are available to clients 24-7/365. They’re truly the way to go.
Mesch Clark Rothschild
259 N. Meyer Avenue
520-624-8886, mcrazlaw.com
Zanes Law
1-866-941-2629, zaneslaw.com/tucson-injury
This is Tucson @this_is_tucson, thisistucson.com Helping you discover what to love about Tucson, #ThisIsTucson offers everything you need to know about what’s hap pening, where to eat, where to hike and best-of guides that may surprise even the locals who live here. For all-things monsoon, murals but not malarky, you can keep up with #ThisIsTucson on its Instagram page or on its website.
Tucson Foodie @tucsonfoodie, tucsonfoodie.com
Visit Tucson @visittucson, visittucson.org
KGUN 9
7280 E. Rosewood Street 520-722-5486, kgun9.com
At KGUN-9, viewers will find straight-up,
unbiased reports about what’s happen ing in Tucson and across Arizona. If that isn’t enough, there’s its charitable work, the photo gallery, and even the contests. Find out what’s happening in the world beginning at 4:30 a.m. and ending with the night broadcast at 10 p.m. or 24 hours a day online.
7831 N. Business Park Drive 520-744-1313, kold.com
KVOA
209 W. Elm Street 520-792-2270, kvoa.com
4533 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-321-4376, hnvtucson.com
Regardless of a person’s fandom, Heroes and Villains welcomes everyone to believe in the magic of the comics and
games that it offers. It believes that the world of comics and games isn’t just a fun hobby, but rather a way of life. Dive into a new universe by simply flipping through the pages of a comic book, graphic novel or manga.
Bookmans
Multiple locations, bookmans.com
2595 N. First Avenue 520-670-0100, facebook.com/fantasycomics2595
@whatsuptucson, whatsuptucsonaz.com
The most-followed Tucson info source on Twitter, What’s Up Tucson provides fast, helpful and local information going on in your area. From breaking news to emergency accidents, weather updates and crime, follow What’s Up Tucson to stay in the know. Launched in 2009 by seasoned former radio personality Ken Carr, this social network has over 130,000 followers and is growing.
TMZ Tucson
@TMZTucson
Totally Tucson @totallytucson
91.3 KXCI
220 S. Fourth Avenue, kxci.org
Diverse, independent and communi ty-based: These are the words that describe KXCI. The station plays music from all genres and eras, and focuses on locally pro duced mini-programs, provided by 70-plus volunteer DJs and on-air hosts. Tune in at 91.3 on what used to be a dial or online.
93.7 KRQ
3202 N. Oracle Road, krq.iheart.com
99.5 KIIM
575 W. Roger Road, kiimfm.com
Tucson Mall - 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 253, 520-460-6891
Park Place Mall - 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 110, 520-603-4037 tucsongamesandgadgets.com
Calling all cool kids! We aren’t nerds anymore! Tucson Games and Gadgets is Tucson’s top-tier gaming environment. Your place for all-things fun. Try out its Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) bootcamp, Greyhawk Expeditions and other paper/ pencil RGPs and card-playing games. It boasts private game rooms, hundreds of square feet of gaming table area, and the latest and the greatest new releases.
Bookmans East
Multiple locations, bookmans.com Heroes and Villains 4533 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-321-4376, hnvtucson.com
@tucsonfoodie, tucsonfoodie.com
Shining a light on all things tasty and delicious throughout the greater Tucson area, Tucson Foodie is the way to go. This food blog offers food guides, sneak peeks and the latest news of the local food scene, which is nothing short of abundant. Follow it on social media to get awesome recommendations for date night, special occasions, upcoming food festivals and restaurant openings in the area that guests won’t want to miss.
READER RECOMMENDED Classy Alcoholic theclassyalcoholic.net
Arizona Families arizonafamilies.blogspot.com
Erin Christiansen, KOLD-13 kold.com
Emmy Award-winning Erin Christiansen is chief meteorologist at KOLD-13, where she has worked for two years. She’s on the mark, calling out thunderstorms, floods or great weather when she sees it.
Matt Brode, KVOA-4 facebook.com/MattBrodeKVOA
Dan Marries
facebook.com/danmarries
Dan Marries’ presence is a nice way to start the evening. His intelligent, knowl edgeable delivery has garnered him several awards, including two Emmys. He works hard to make Tucson a better place with his volunteer work, too. He’s
the charter president of the Casas Ado bes Optimist Club and a founding trus tee board member of the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation.
Priscilla Casper, Formerly KVOA
facebook.com/priscillacaspertv
Sean Mooney, KVOA facebook.com/seanmooneykvoa
Bret “Porkchop” Miller, 99.5 KIIM
facebook.com/porkchop995
Country music lovers know Porkchop, who is practically a Tucson institution, as he’s been on the air with KIIM for more than 20 years. He’s more than a voice, howev er. Porkchop is involved with several local charities including the Special Olympics, his church and general fundraising. Find him weekdays beginning at 5 a.m.
Hannah Miller, 91.3 KXCI kxci.org/programs/the-home-stretch
Ken Carr, 101.7 KDRI thedrivetucson.com/drivers
Paul Cicala, KVOA 4
facebook.com/paulcicala
Want to know more about Paul Cicala?
Look at his Facebook page, where fas cinating facts are aplenty. Hailing from South Tucson, he was once a cook at Whataburger. Now a KVOA sports an chor, he’s been nominated for plenty of Emmys and is also a repeat winner of Tucson Weekly’s Best Local Sportscaster.
Brian Jeffries, Voice of the Wildcats arizonawildcats.com
Damien Alameda, KOLD 13 kold.com
Multiple locations
This beloved bookstore offers more than just new and gently used books. Bookmans is the place to go if you’re in search of a DVD, CD, vinyl or that instru ment you’ve always wanted to learn how to play. From secondhand furniture or sound equipment and small gifts, there’s something for everyone at Bookmans.
Considered a safe haven to some, you just might find yourself wandering throughout the bookstacks for hours.
411 N. Fourth Avenue 520-792-3715, antigonebooks.com
6208 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-571-0110, mostlybooksaz.com
Casa Video and Film Bar
2905 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-326-6314, casafilmbar.com
This video store is more than the oldschool traditional rental shop. It started out as a video rental store over 30 years ago and combined the service with its other love — craft beer. It finds that there is little better than being able to relax with a box of popcorn, a beer and a much-beloved movie. Five years later and it is still at it. It has video rentals, Arizona craft beers on tap, and food — and hosts many delicious and diverse food trucks on any given day.
Bookmans
Multiple locations, bookmans.com
Zia Records
3370 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-327-3340, ziarecords.com
bookings@gorillafilmms.com
gorillafilmms.com
Jordan and Ciana Sanchez are Tucsonbased photographer/videographers, editors and business owners offering a variety of services in the media industry. They specialize in cinematography and portrait sessions ranging from weddings to business advertising productions. Before their business, Jordan was in sales, where he picked up a camera for fun on the side and quickly learned his passion for being behind the camera. Ciana also has a background in sales and was an operations manager for a local business. Together, they combined their skills to create Gorilla Filmms, a one-stop shop for photography and videography needs servicing local families and businesses everyday. They are the ultimate husband-and-wife team helping you capture your most important memories and bringing your business visuals to life.
Arizona Takeover
SDVisions
444 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-8251, creations24.com
Deeply rooted in Bohemian influences, Creations Boutique specializes in modern apparel, including Angie Brand clothing, as well as a curated selection of labels we all love. Its goal is to provide a memorable experience. Its designers search the world for incredible art to bring clothing to life. This boutique is not afraid of color nor shy on embellishment.
Buffalo Exchange
Multiple locations, buffaloexchange.com
South Sixth Bodega
Tucson Mall - 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 307
Park Place Mall - 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 142 520-500-4231, southsixthbodega.com
Buffalo Exchange
Multiple locations, buffaloexchange.com
Some of us have been buying and
trading clothes here for a bit. Buffalo Exchange has been buying, selling and trading clothing and accessories since 1974, when Kerstin Block had the idea for a different sort of secondhand shop following her love of thrift store shopping. Enter a whole new business model — a resale shop where customers could buy hand-picked secondhand treasures and sell their clothes for cash or trade on the spot. A perfect storm for the perfect business.
East - 5616 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-777-4478
West - 7306 N. Oracle Road 520-207-9333, platoscloset.com
Twice As Nice
7333 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-298-7375, shopselltrade.com
Central - 529 N. Sixth Avenue, 520-7776281
North - 615 W. Roller Coaster Road 520-329-8972, greentoes.com
Greentoes provides vegan nail lacquers without the big three chemicals, formaldehyde, toluene and DBP for its manicures and pedicures. The omission of these ingredients means that the staff is not required to wear protective gloves and masks when working with the products, making the pampering experience a little more personal. In a hurry? Opt for the express mani or pedi to get in and out with a satisfying service. Have the time, go for a slow beauty treatment that has the customer looking and feeling better inside and out.
Classy Nails by Le 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road, Suite 146 520-795-1985, classynailsbyle.com
Bella Spa
1070 E. Tucson Marketplace Boulevard, Suite 120 520-882-2123, facebook.com/bellanailstucson
Multiple locations, samlevitz.com
There’s quite a bit
of Sam Levitz, who moved to Tucson in the early 1940s. In 1953 he opened a furniture store, and in 1955 he opened the world’s first direct-to-you furniture warehouse. People came from miles around — and still do — for the great money-saving deals and specials on solid furniture. Sam Levitz delivers and sets up pieces for a reasonable price.
READER RECOMMENDED Copenhagen Imports
3660 E. Fort Lowell 520-253-8870, copenhagenliving.com
Ashley Home Store
100 N. Pantano Road 520-917-2417, stores.ashleyfurniture.com
Multiple locations 520-325-0000, gadabout.com When the community needs to unwind, get a haircut or have a skin treatment, it’s time to hit Gadabout, the spa with all the services. Gadabout has five locations around the Old Pueblo. Gadabout strives to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone, no matter who you are. The salon/ spa o ers discounts on services to teachers and contributes to local nonprofits. There are criteria which may be found on the website.
READER RECOMMENDED Greentoes North
615 W. Roller Coaster Road, 520-329-8972 529 N. Sixth Avenue, 520-777-6281 greentoestucson.com
Skinology Skin and Body Studio 4249 W. Ina Road, Suite 125 520-477-7708
5302 E. 22nd Street, 520-514-5262 facebook.com/22ndstreetantiquemalltuscon
Treasures are hiding at the 22nd Street Antique Mall. Some of the stash is truly antique, some collectible and some just plain fun. Take, for example, a refurbished secretary desk with cubbies and a workspace with an owl decoupaged to the front. Who wouldn’t want that? The place goes on almost forever, and chances are you will have to return to see everything.
Multiple locations, buffaloexchange.com
How Sweet It Was Vintage 424 E. Sixth Street 520-623-9854, howsweetitwas.com
943 E. University Boulevard, Suite 179 520-792-8267 beachbunnietanning.com
To quote “Twilight,” “Aren’t people from Arizona supposed to be like really tan?” Yes! For those who don’t tan easily or who turn into a tomato or, maybe, want to add a little color in the winter, Beach Bunnie is here to help with spray or UV tanning. Get that sun-kissed glow and keep it year-round with the help of the technicians.
7846 E. Wrightstown Road 520-733-3600, heavenlyglowtans.com
Planet Beach
12112 N. Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, Suite 160 520-877-8266, planetbeach.com
418 E. Seventh Street 520-306-8269, shopblackbroccoli.com
Black Broccoli and designer Nick Arcade take vintage clothing that is already interesting and rework it to create something totally unique. The intention isn’t to be just another clothing or vintage resale shop. Black Broccoli acts more as a celebration of culture and an ode to Arcade’s personal inspirations. So now you, too, are in the know.
Tierra Owens
facebook.com/tierra.owens.9
Ruby Jane
26 Tubac Road, rubyjanedesigns.com
Lala Lash
2033 E. Speedway Boulevard, Suite 202 520-284-9586, lalalashboutiqueaz.com
Established in 2015, Lala Lash was built to provide with the inexpensive luxury of lashes. The confidence that comes with having your lashes done is something the sta wants all customers to have. The spa-like atmosphere is a tranquil time for guests to rest their minds and souls
as the aestheticians and cosmetologists take the time to beautify them.
Lash Lab
6544 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-820-014, facebook.com/lashlabllc
Amazing Lash
4811 E. Grant Road, Suite 115 520-462-4936, amazinglashstudio.com
330 N. Fourth Avenue 520-624-9954, silverseajewelry.com
At Silver Sea Jewelry you will never feel adrift, even if you have no idea what you’re looking for. The helpful sta of “desert mermaids” will guide you through the handmade sterling silver, one-of-a-kind jewelry. They have rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Plus, they ship all over the United States.
heliotropemetal.com
Luna and Saya lunaandsaya.com
2855 E. Grant Road
520-623-7341
thecoyoteworesideburns.com
If there’s any reason to get your hair done at The Coyote Wore Sideburns, it’s for its name. Still, there is so much more to the salon than a name. Owners Signe Razzi and Carmelo Guagliardo still work there, as do three other stylists. Razzi likes a mussy, casual cut but will give you what you ask for. She has also developed a perm wrap that gives a nice wave. Guagliardo promises to listen, and when you say a half-inch o , he knows what a half-inch means. The other stylists are equally as accomplished. Cuts are $45 and include consultation, shampoo, conditioning, cut and style. That’s not all that’s on the menu at Coyote, of course, but it’s a start.
Multiple locations
520-325-0000, gadabout.com
Salon Salon
410 E. Toole Avenue 520-777-3224, salonsalonaz.com
4635 E. Fort Lowell Road
520-327-6753, hushsalonandspa.com
There’s nothing quiet about Hush. Owner Sheri Turner said the bigger the hair, the closer to heaven. Who doesn’t want to be closer to heaven? They o er all the hair services, skin care, waxing and makeup services, nails and lashes. Walk in as Medusa, come out as Aphrodite.
Gadabout
Multiple locations
520-325-0000, gadabout.com
Beauty and Beasts Salon
10180 E. Rita Road, Suite 180 520-849-5667, beautyandbeastssalon.com
Sacred Art Tattoo Studio
2807 E. Speedway Boulevard 315 N. Fourth Avenue, 520-326-1601 sacredarttattoostudio.com facebook.com/sacredarttattootucson
What can you say about a place that has been inking and piercing Tucson for more than two decades and is voted Best Tattoo
Parlor? The business is practically an institution. Sacred Art has nine artists and another nine piercers ready to serve, plus there’s a nice selection of gold Junipurr Jewelry, ranging in style from your basic knife to an out-of-this-world Saturn with rings. Check out the nose chains. Firsttimers should not be afraid. The artists and piercers here are experienced and know what they are doing. They take walk-ins, but appointments are welcome, too.
47 S. Sixth Avenue, 520-388-9091
421 N. Fourth Avenue, 520-629-1999 blackrosetattooers.com
Haunted Hands
510 N. Seventh Avenue, Suite 150 hauntedhands.com
5647 E. Grant Road 520-488-5715, oopslaser.com
The phrase “tattoos are permanent” does not stand at Oops! Laser Tattoo Removal. Using state-of-the-art laser equipment and techniques combined with a clean, comfortable setting and superior cus-
tomer service, the sta will erase an ex’s name, gang-related tattoos or o ensive markings. Oops! Laser Tattoo Removal will help individuals get a fresh start with new skin for a new life.
5150 E. Glenn Street 520-795-7729, pimaderm.com
Allure Medical
5501 N. Oracle Road, Suite 161 520-365-5028, alluremedicaltucson.com
510 N. Seventh Avenue, Suite 150 hauntedhands.com
The owner/founder of Haunted Hands Tattoo, Lisa Cardenas has won Tucson Weekly’s best tattoo artist six times. She opened Haunted Hands in 2012 and has been designing her fan-favorite style for over a decade. Cardenas meets the customers’ needs and her own standards with every tattoo.
Anthony Michaels, Twenty Five Twelve Collective
2512 N. Campbell Avenue 520-274-7662, 2512collective.com
1680 N. Country Club Road 520-329-3591, instagram.com/helldriver1973
1927 E. Grant Road 520-795-8500, sttptucson.com
Created in 2009, Straight to the Point brings class and customer service to an industry not known for it, so says its website. Whether it is a person’s first piercing or 100th, the sta will serve as cheerleaders, hand-holders and admirers. Patrons can also collaborate with the sta for curated piercings.
Sacred Art Tattoo
315 N. Fourth Avenue, 520-369-4421 2807 E. Speedway Boulevard, 520-326-1601 sacredarttattoostudio.com
Enchanted Dragon Tattoos
405 E. Wetmore Road, Suite 123 520-884-5494, enchanteddragontattoos.com
Headliners
7401 N. La Cholla Boulevard
520-544-2090
facebook.com/headlinersbarbershopllc
Headliners Barber Shop has five locations, so one of them is near you, including Tucson and Park Place malls. No style is too complicated. A fade? Done. Braids? Done. These barbers know what they’re doing.
READER RECOMMENDED
Gentleman Jack’s Barber Lounge
13360 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Suite 118 520-838-0899, gentlemanjacksbarberlounge.com
Good Fellas Barber Shop
3504 S. Sixth Avenue, Suite 130 520-867-2770, facebook.com
2362 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-622-4641
6468 N. Oracle, 520-297-1158 inglisflorists.com Name the occasion and the designers at Inglis Florists are on it. The company has been around since 1940. The current owner, Michael Butterbrodt, is a second-generation florist, so he knows what he’s doing. They also do gourmet and
gift baskets, but they won’t let you down with their flowers. Butterbrodt and his sta stand behind their arrangements. They work with a variety of fresh flower and will do custom designs and silk arrangements. Plus, they o er a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
520-886-4443, mayfieldflorist.com
531 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-7673, flowershopon4th.com
Multiple locations, alvernonoptical.com
For over 50 years, Alvernon Optical has stressed quality and customer service above all else. Choose from a plethora of specialty eyewear, including name-prescription sunglasses, safety glasses, prescription dive masks and swim goggles.
Multiple locations, lescooptical.com
Arizona Primary Eye Care
Multiple locations, arizonaprimaryeyecare.com
River parks that makes a complete circuit of 53.9 miles. Pima County residents and visitors can join the Loop on foot, skates,
Mount Lemmon
10300 Ski Run Road (to Ski Valley) 520-547-7510, fs.usda.gov
Sabino Canyon
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road 520-749-8700, fs.usda.gov
2001 N. Seventh Avenue 520-628-7950, bicas.org
Located north of Downtown Tucson, BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting bicycle education and a ordable bicycle transportation and participating in creative recycling with its community. Its programming includes bicycle repair, earning a bicycle, creating art with recycled materials and youth activities.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tuesday Night Bike Ride
tnr.bike
El Grupo Youth Cycling
610 N. Ninth Avenue 520-429-6138, elgrupocycling.org
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road 520-749-8700, fs.usda.gov
Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon is “one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona.”
Take the “moderate to di cult” Bear Canyon Trail toward Seven Falls or the Bajada Loop for an easy stroll. For a more challenging and steep climb with switchbacks, park visitors can take the Blacketts Ridge Trail. Sabino Canyon has paved roadways that are wheelchair accessible and bike friendly. There are opportunities for wildlife sightings, but be respectful, because you just might see a rattlesnake.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tumamoc Hill
Tumamoc Hill Road 520-621-6945, tumamoc.arizona.edu
Catalina State Park
11570 N. Oracle Road 520-628-5798, azstateparks.com
Arizona Trail
738 N. Fifth Avenue 602-252-4794, aztrail.org
The Arizona National Scenic Trail spans
800 miles from Arizona to Mexico to Utah. It is a diverse adventure for backpackers, connecting picturesque mountains, canyons and deserts while showcasing the Southwest United States’ stunning wildlife and historic, cultural sites along the way.
READER RECOMMENDED
Sabino Canyon
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road 520-749-8700, fs.usda.gov
Aravaipa Canyon
711 14th Avenue 928-348-4400, blm.gov
400 Patagonia Lake Road 520-287-6965, azstateparks.com Established in 1975, Patagonia Lake State Park is a hidden gem in southeastern Arizona. Its campgrounds overlook the lake with opportunities for waterskiing, fishing, picnicking and hiking. The wildlife in the area ranges from whitetail deer to catfish and great blue herons, making for a scenic experience.
Madera Canyon
Santa Rita Mountains 520-281-2296, fs.usda.gov
Catalina State Park
11570 N. Oracle Road 520-628-5798, azstateparks.com
Gene C. Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way 520-791-4873, tucsonaz.gov
Miko’s Corner Playground at Gene C. Reid Park is a blast for canine companions. There are 2 acres of land divided for big and small dogs to explore, with dog-friendly potable water fountains, scooper dispensers and a ramada with tables. The park is named in honor of a Tucson Police Department police dog who lost its life in the line of duty.
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road 520-724-5000, webcms.pima.gov
Morris K. Udall Park
7290 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-791-4877, tucsonaz.gov
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2550 N. Alvernon Way 520-326-9686, tucsonbotanical.org
No matter what our unfortunate out-ofstate relatives say, we know the desert is
Back to back winner of the USA Today
"Best Small To wn Arts Scene," The Village of Tubac hosts more than 125 art galleries, speciality shops, restaurants, and museums. Arizona's first state park and a historic mission contribute to one of the most celebrated artist. Where Art and History Meet, just 45 minutes south of Tucson.
Home and Garden Tour by
Tubac Center
green. Bring them to Tucson Botanical Gardens and prove it to them. A true haven of peace in the middle of our bustling city, you can sit here in the shade of one of the many mature trees and enjoy the well-cultivated foliage. Look for specialty gardens such as the cactus and succulent gardens, the barrio garden and the herb garden, among others. Plus, butterflies, orchids, lunch and shopping. Then learn to be a gourmet chef at the cooking classes. Keep an eye on their events calendar because there is always something going on.
7366 N Paseo Del Norte 520-742-6455, tohonochul.org
Reid Park Cele Peterson Rose Garden East 22nd Street and South Country Club Road 520-791-4873, tucsonaz.gov
10300 Ski Run Road (to Ski Valley) 520-547-7510, fs.usda.gov
One of Coronado National Forest’s sky islands, Mount Lemmon is on top of locals’ lists who want to escape the desert heat. Known for its cooler temperatures of at least 20 degrees, Mount Lemmon’s peak at 9,171 feet is the highest point
of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Open year-round, Mount Lemmon is a place for year-round hiking and seasonal skiing (weather permitting), biking trails and over 2,000 rock climbing routes. Rose Canyon Lake also o ers a peaceful area for fishing. Fear not if you forget to pack a lunch, the Lemmon has restaurants in Ski Valley and Summerhaven that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Enjoy the scenic hourdrive and feel the shift in temperature as you drive up Tucson’s favorite mountain.
278 N. Dart Road 520-590-0432, discoverbisbee.com
Tubac
1 Burruel Street 520-398-2704, tubacaz.com
1301 E. Ajo Way 520-294-1434, ajobikes.com
Locally owned and operated, Ajo Bikes provides for all of its riders’ cycling needs.
It carries a large selection, including recumbent trikes, and has a sta able to service any make of bike. The shop prides itself in supplying top products at unbeatable prices.
BICAS
2001 N. Seventh Avenue 520-628-7950, bicas.org
Sabino Cycle
7045 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-885-3666, sabinocycles.com
5251 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-1554, summithut.com
For outdoor experiences of any sort, Summit Hut has what you need. The sporting goods store has a massive selection of reasonably priced gear for men, women and kids, ranging from hiking and climbing to camping.
Play It Again Sports
4750 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-0363, playitagainsports.com
900 S. Randolph Way 520-791-4873, tucsonaz.gov
There is much to do at Reid Park — horseshoe pitching complex, ponds with ducks to feed, playgrounds for kids of all
ages, picnic pavilions, walking/running/ cycling paths and a zoo. The zoo features more than 500 animals.
Agua Caliente Park
12325 E. Roger Road 520-724-5000, pima.gov
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road 520-724-5000, https://bit.ly/BrandiFentonPark
3645 W. Starr Pass Boulevard 520-791-6270, marriott.com
Marriott’s Starr Pass Golf Club lies against the backdrop of the bright Arizona desert and picturesque mountains. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the resort features three nine-hole courses: the Coyote Course, Rattler Course and Roadrunner Course.
READER RECOMMENDED
La Paloma Country Club
3660 E. Sunrise Drive 520-299-1500, lapalomacc.com
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort 7000 N. Resort Drive 520-299-2020, loewshotels.com
World-class hiking, golf, spas and original cuisine.
Oro Valley is just north of Tucson, set against the backdrop of the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains. Outdoor adventures abound, with views you won’t find anywhere else in Southern Arizona. Explore our trails and paved paths. Play a round of golf. Savor a meal at an OV Original restaurant. Relax in one of our spas. Enjoy all that Oro Valley has to offer. Scan the QR code for details on the adventures that await you in Oro Valley.
Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way 520-791-4873, tucsonaz.gov
In September 2019, Reid Park’s new playground opened to much fanfare for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. ADAaccessible features include ramps and a rocker. Shade covers parts of the play equipment. The old playground (nearest the DeMeester bandshell) only had pock ets of play amenities and was not ADA accessible. Reid Park may have a splash pad in its future.
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road 520-724-5000, https://bit.ly/BrandiFentonPark
Himmel Park
1000 N. Tucson Boulevard 520-791-4873, tucsonaz.gov
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. Sixth Avenue, 520-297-8004
11015 N. Oracle Road childrensmuseumtucson.org
Who hasn’t dreamed of having a party at a museum? You can fulfill that dream for a child by having a party at the Children’s Museum Tucson, where it’s like one big playroom. If your kids get a bit of an edu cation in the process, even better. If it’s your unbirthday, head over there for Art After Dark or Discovery Nights, among other really interesting programs for kids. There’s a branch in Oro Valley, too.
READER RECOMMENDED Golf ‘N Stuff
6503 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-885-3569, golfnstuff.com
Wild Katz: Children’s Adventure Playground
4629 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-415-7955, wldktz.com
Mildred and Dildred
1725 N. Swan Road
520-615-6266, mildredanddildred.com
Remember your youth, buy a gift for a kid or just browse; Mildred and Dildred has something you will like, even if you are a grown-up. Look for fun socks, a flower cap to make your cat mad, play kitchen utensils, books, more books and lots of other great things kids really ought to have in their rooms. This place is worth a visit — even if you don’t have kids.
launched 10 years ago with the vision of providing parents in our community with modern, affordable options for kids cloth ing, toys and gear. The consignment shop carries a selection of gently used items and boutique finds for babies and chil dren alike in a fun, laid-back environment.
7333 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-298-7375 facebook.com/twiceasnicebroadway Sweet Repeats
7936 N. Oracle Road 520-219-0675, sweetrepeatstucson.com
Multiple locations, library.pima.gov
For over 100 years, the Pima County Public Library has been serving Tucson and its surrounding communities. With a dedicated staff and a range of free servic es for visitors, it aims to make its mission of educating, inspiring and connecting others a reality. It holds many storytime events for infants and children.
az@dragqueenstoryhour.org
dragstoryhouraz.org
23 W. Calle Concordia 520-297-7946, orovalleyaz.gov
A premier, competition-level facility, the Oro Valley Aquatic Center is a perfect place for families to cool off. Its amenities include a pool, splash pad, water slide and more. Families can drop in for $14.
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road 520-724-5000, webcms.pima.gov
Gladden Farms
1 S. Church Avenue 520-448-5300, gladdenfarms.com
Little Bird Nesting Company
4508 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-203-7372, littlebirdtucson.com
Little Bird Nesting Company was
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Multiple locations bookmans.com
7010 E. Broadway
520-296-0456, littleanthonysdiner.com
The 1950s-themed Little Anthony’s Diner has been serving the Tucson com munity for 32 years. It is a great spot for families to grab old-school American dishes, from classic burgers to decadent ice cream. Its kids menu includes corn dogs, chicken strips and grilled cheese.
Eegee’s
Multiple locations, eegees.com
Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery 11011 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-600-7570, barnyardaz.com
3800 E. River Road 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org
The summer means kids are bored and so are the parents. The kids — ages kindergarten to ninth grade — can fill their free time at the Tucson Jewish Community Center summer camp from May to August. As one of the only American Camp Association accredited day camps in Tucson, Camp J is Tucson’s most trusted camping program.
3400 E. Zoo Court 520-791-3204, reidparkzoo.org
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road 520-883-2702, desertmuseum.org
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road 520-883-2702, desertmuseum.org
For the past eight years, the Arizona-
Sonora Desert Museum has been voted as the best location for family fun. Not only a zoo, the Desert Museum also has a botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum and aquarium. Learn about the diverse biomes and its inhabitants that the Sonoran Desert has to offer including an Earth Sciences Center, which is a replica of a limestone cave.
Don’t forget your camera as certain animals have been known to strike a pose, especially at the Hummingbird Aviary.
Visitors can cool down with refreshments offered at the museum’s several casual dining restaurants and gift shops. Be sure to check out the events listed on its website, because there’s always something to do.
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E. Zoo Court
520-791-3204, reidparkzoo.org
Golf N’ Stuff
6503 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-885-3569
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E. Zoo Court
520-791-3204, reidparkzoo.org Walk a bit on the wild side and take the kids to Reid Park Zoo to learn about the animals from a small bird to an elephant. Get up close and personal with the tallest
land mammal, a giraffe, and give them a crunchy treat. Or take a trip around the Gene C. Reid Park pond with the Zoo Train.
READER RECOMMENDED
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. Sixth Avenue
520-792-9985, childrensmuseumtucson.org
Golf N Stuff
6503 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-885-3569, golfnstuff.com
Multiple locations, tucsonymca.org
The facility’s staff understands that children learn best through play. The developmentally appropriate learning atmosphere at the YMCA is designed to develop the whole child — spirit, mind and body. Young children are guided and encouraged to make choices that are based on their own interests.
READER RECOMMENDED
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 E. River Road 520-299-3000, tucsonjcc.org
Sandbox Tucson
2701 N. Swan Road 520-795-9595, sandboxtucson.com
mrnaturesmusicgarden.com
Anthony Marc Aldinger, aka Mr. Nature, is a Tucson native who established Mr. Nature’s Music Garden LLC in early 2013 to facilitate playgroups designed to build and strengthen foundations for positive social interaction focusing on kindness, compassion, empathy and mindfulness. All lessons are through song, dance, body
movement, interactive music, instrument fun, storytelling and art.
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. Sixth Avenue 520-792-9985, childrensmuseumtucson.org
Board & Brush
6429 N. Oracle Road 520-638-8062, boardandbrush.com
2995 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-2123, raijinramentucson.com Soup season is upon us: Raijin Ramen has the fix you’ve been looking for. For a consecutive year, this tiny local restau rant offers the most comforting ramen in all of Tucson. Its menu offers something for vegans, vegheads and meat-eaters alike. For starters, sample the gyoza pork and veggie potstickers and for your en tree try their Tonkotsu ramen with pork broth, black roasted garlic and other fixings. Its menu offers a yummy assort ment of side dishes, noodles and salads.
3502 E. Grant Road, 520-305-4262
7850 N. Oracle Road, 520-268-8662 noodleholics.com
Obon
350 E. Congress Street 520-485-3590, obonsushi.com
1990 W. Orange Grove Road 520-638-8328, leeleesupermarket.com
Not your typical neighborhood grocery store, Lee Lee International Supermarkets offers tastings and goods from Cambodia to Japan, the Middle East and more. The largest ethnic grocery store chain in Ari zona, Lee Lee’s is a place for both families and chefs seeking authentic ingredients at a reasonable price. Check out its web site for a list of international recipes, acco lades and locations. You will also find the tasty Thuan Kieu Vietnamese Restaurant at the Tucson location.
627 S. Vine Avenue 520-792-3173, romaimports.com
AJ’s Fine Foods
2805 E. Skyline Drive 520-232-6340, ajsfinefoods.com
18 S. Eastbourne Avenue 520-327-1292, barriobread.com
If you’ve ever wondered what the line was for in the Broadway Village shop ping center, it was probably for Barrio Bread. Owned by the 2022 James Beard Award Winner for Outstanding Baker, Don Guerra, this bakery has a passion for “ARTisan Loaves.” By incorporating cen turies-old baking techniques and locally sourced heritage grains, Barrio Bread is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or earlier if the bread runs out!
Beyond Bread
Multiple locations, beyondbread.com
La Baguette Bakery
1797 E. Prince Road 520-322-6297, ghiniscafe.com
2745 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-624-3223 7080 E. 22nd Street, 520-867-6050 brushfirebbq.com
Have barbecue tonight with Brushfire BBQ Company’s two locations, with six barbecue sauces to choose from, loads of meat like baby back ribs or smoked salm on, either with a side of crispy tater tots, fries, salads (not the green kind but the kind that goes with barbecue), beans and two locations around town. Eat in or take out, this is casual dining at its best. Top it off with a local beer or soft drink and you’re all set.
Holy Smokin’ Butts BBQ
6940 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-329-3088, holysmokinbutts.com
Smoky Mo’
2650 N. First Avenue 520-203-8350, smokeymo.com
Nadines Bakery
4553 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-326-0735 nadinesweddingcakes.blogspot.com
The best bakery to satisfy your dessert cravings, Nadines kosher and full-ser vice bakery has it all. From cookies and
brownies to croissants and scones, Na dines offers the most decadent baked goods and pastries throughout Tucson.
This bakery is also well known for its wedding cakes, tiers of cupcakes, and ex cellent customer service.
READER RECOMMENDED
Beyond Bread/Back Dough
6260 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-629-4111, beyondbread.com
Cup Café
311 E. Congress Street 520-798-1618, hotelcongress.com
6390 E. Grant Road, 520-298-2020
1865 E. River Road, Suite 101 520-299-7799, zinburgeraz.com
There’s something special about eating a delicious juicy burger along with crispyon-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside fries. Satisfy one’s hamburger cravings with the classic Samburger with applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, let tuce and Thousand Island dressing. Feeling risky? Try the El Diablo made with fire-roasted jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onion, lettuce and chipotle mayo.
Lindy’s on 4th
500 N. Fourth Avenue 520-207-6970, lo4th.com
7332 N. Oracle Road 520-395-2975, trulandburgers.com
Multiple locations, thescreamery.com
As its story goes, The Screamery was the first ice creamery to be certified in Arizo na to pasteurize its ice cream. Making it the old-fashioned way, this ice cream uses premium hormone free milk and cream and other natural ingredients. Offering traditional flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, step outside of your comfort zone and try the lavender flavored ice cream with a honey swirl or the Sweet Sono ran Desert, a honey flavor with a peanut butter swirl and homemade toffee. The Screamery also offers coffee beverages, creations, floats and shakes.
HUB Ice Cream Parlor
245 E. Congress Street 520-622-0255, thehubicecream.com
Frost Gelato
Multiple locations, frostgelato.com
Brooklyn Pizza Company
534 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-6868, brooklynpizzacompany.com
The hand-tossed, fresh-baked pizzas at Brooklyn Pizza are prepared to per fection, according to our readers. Pizza lovers can choose toppings such as egg plant, potato or meatballs to create the perfect pie for them. The pizzeria is one of the first two businesses in Southern Arizona to be run entirely on solar ener gy. Lunch specials are available.
137 E. Congress Street 520-882-7499, empire.pizza
Time Market
444 E. University Boulevard 520-622-0761, timemarket.xyz
Watermelon
Multiple locations, eegees.com
Just like a ripe and juicy watermelon, the Eegee’s July flavor of the month stays on top as Tucson’s favorite flavor. What bet ter way to cool down during the hottest summer months than the perfect blend of real fruit and frozen goodness. Just “take it easy, have an eegee.”
Multiple locations, el-molinito.com
When Tucsonans want food delivered to them for special occasions, they pre fer the authentic Mexican cuisine of El Molinito to liven up their parties, meet ings and events. El Molinito can handle catering for any size group and offers six different suggested combination plates. Orders can also be customized. Pickup orders have a 10-guest minimum, and de livery orders have a 20-guest minimum.
Feast
3179 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-326-9363, eatatfeast.com
Brushfire BBQ
Multiple locations, brushfirebbq.com
Pinnacle Peak
6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-296-0911, pinnaclepeaktucson.com
Pinnacle Peak combines Old West-style
fun and great meals to make it the perfect destination for a family meal. Diners can relax in a vintage Old West setting while enjoying a steak or brisket cooked over real mesquite wood. Seafood, chicken and vegetarian options are also availa ble. Before or after a weekend meal, fam ilies can catch a Western stunt show in the adjacent Trail Dust Town.
Little Anthony’s
7010 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-296-0456, littleanthonysdiner.com
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Multiple locations bisbeebreakfastclub.com
Little Anthony’s Diner
7010 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-296-0456, littleanthonysdiner.com
Hop back in time to the 1950s at Little Anthony’s Diner, which is decorated wall to wall with memorabilia of that era. Menu sections recall music legends such as The Temptations (appetizers) and Things Elvis Wouldn’t Eat (salads). Serving lunch and dinner, the diner has specials each day from homemade meat loaf to a hot roast beef. Don’t forget about the photo worthy Big Bopper milkshakes that come in flavors from I Want S’more Rama Lama Ding Dong to The Elvis Pretzely Chocolate Dream Shake.
Multiple locations, bajacafetucson.com
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Multiple locations, bisbeebreakfastclub.com
1745 E. River Road, 520-849-8985
1101 N. Wilmot Road, 520-771-6685
bubbesbagel.com
A long fermentation process and kettle boiling make the bagels at Bubbe’s Ba gels the top choice among our readers. Flavors such as pumpernickel, cinna mon crunch, and cheddar jalapeno can be paired with schmears such as honey lavender, smoked salmon and Calabrian pepper. Choices for bagel sandwiches include Calabrian tuna, Westphalia ham and fontina, and open-faced whitefish salad. Catering is available.
2660 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-326-7737
6450 E. Grant Road, Suite 160, 520-838-0809 prepandpastry.com
415 N. Fourth Avenue 520-624-4411, cafepassetucson.com
3401 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-318-3698, coffeetimestucson.com
Dragging? Stay local with Coffee Times. There’s only one location and it’s been there since 1999, but there are plenty of coffee drinks, including frappes and fruit smooth ies. There’s a small menu with breakfast and lunch items. Plus, the family that owns Coffee Times supports local nonprofits.
Eegee’s
Multiple locations, eegees.com
Los Betos
4470 N. First Avenue, 520-887-5528
2502 N. Campbell Avenue 520-777-4465, goodnessfresh.com
The juices and smoothies at Goodness blend various combinations of vegeta bles, fruit, plant-based milks and other clean ingredients to help the restaurant realize its mission of bringing joy and pleasure to customers seeking a healthy lifestyle. Menu choices such as green bully, the cure and hot tropic can comple ment one of the establishment’s healthy meals or be enjoyed on their own. Deliv ery and online ordering are available.
READER RECOMMENDED Coffee Times
3401 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-318-3698, coffeetimestucson.com
Urban Fresh
73 E. Pennington Street 520-792-9355, urbanfreshaz.com
Multiple locations, bagginsgourmet.com
When Tucson readers would rather have a restaurant bring food to them than bring themselves to the restaurant, they reach out to Baggin’s. Since 1984, Bag gin’s has been preparing its sandwiches by baking its bread and slicing its meats in-house. In addition to sandwiches such as the ham and cheese croissant, Albu querque turkey and Hopi chicken, hun gry Tucsonans can order quiche, bread bowl salads or soup. Gift cards and cater ing are available.
Brooklyn Pizza Company
534 N. Fourth Avenue
520-622-6868, brooklynpizzacompany.com
Tucson Tea Company tucsontea.com
420 Taco facebook.com/420taco
420 Taco drives to events and locations all across town to deliver tacos, sandwiches and quesadillas to the people, wherever they may be. It not only slowly smokes all of its meats over low temperatures, but it smokes all of its salsas, too. Meats include brisket, pastrami, pork belly and fish.
520-419-0484, bit.ly/3rkzQLi
You Sly Dog youslydog.com
2458 N. Campbell Avenue 520-320-5203, ragingsage.com
As a small microroastery in Tucson, Raging Sage is committed to providing its customers with the finest coffee ex perience delivered in a sustainable way. With 11 caffeinated options and three de caf, coffee drinkers have an assortment of options to choose from. The Raging Sage Blend is the company’s award-win ning blend developed for espresso and brewed coffee. With a perfect balance of body and acidity, it continues to please.
3401 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-318-3698, coffeetimestucson.com
1002 N. Grande Avenue 520-244-5285, baristadelbarrio.com
Wildcat at Bison Witches
326 N. Fourth Avenue 520-740-1541, bisonwitches.com
Bison Witches’ Wildcat won first place for best sandwich for a reason. All Bison Witches sandwiches come with a choice of bread, white, wheat or dark rye. Pota to chips are included, regular or jalap eno. But let’s get back to this delicious sandwich. Guests will find thin slices of roast beef and smoked turkey piled high and covered with melted smoked gouda cheese and topped with crispy shredded lettuce and complemented with a special honey-based spicy Russian mustard.
Multiple locations, bagginsgourmet.com
Bart’s Bag at Beyond Bread
Multiple locations, beyondbread.com
101 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-647-2481, amysdonuts.com
When Tucson readers want to satisfy their sweet tooth, they indulge in the fresh-baked deliciousness of Amy’s Donuts. Open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Amy’s creates flavors such as Butterfinger cake, orange creamsicle and cherry lemon. Field trips, online ordering, and large custom orders with one-day advance notice are available.
Donut Wheel
675 W. Valencia Road 520-294-5559, bit.ly/3UJYrH8
5266 S. 12th Avenue
100 S. Avenida Del Convento 520-741-0656, laestrellabakeryincaz.com
6390 E. Grant Road, 520-298-2020
1865 E. River Road, Suite 101 520-299-7799, zinburgeraz.com
Customers do not have to be meat lovers or even meat eaters to get a great gourmet burger at Zinburger. Its All-American Veggie Burger patty is prepared in-house from a blend of 13 ingredients. The veggie burger patty can be substituted for beef on any the restaurant’s hamburgers. While the veggie burger is not vegan, there is a vegan option available with a Beyond Burger patty.
2721 E. Speedway Boulevard, 520-269-6888
5635 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-347-2159
grazepremiumburgers.com
267 S. Avenida Del Convento 520-344-5907, beautburger.com
2829 E. Speedway Boulevard, 520-319-2467
1825 E. River Road, 520-448-9655
choicegreens.com
A design-your-own chopped salad concept, Choice Greens never disappoints to
meet your salad craving. Using only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients, this salad bar is loved by the community. So much so, it has recently added its second location on River and Campbell in the Joesler Village. Pick from any of its chopped classics or build your own salad. It also offer soups, grain bowls, paninis and more.
Multiple locations, beyondbread.com
Sauce Pizza & Wine
Multiple locations, saucepizzaandwine.com
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848 hotelcongress.com/family/the-cup
Located within Downtown Tucson’s historic Hotel Congress, the Cup Café attracts more than just out of town visitors. Locals love to unwind sipping their favorite beverage in the café’s quaint interior. When the weather is mild, a relaxing outdoor patio beckons. No matter where one sits, a full menu is available for those who have brought their appetites.
2930 N. Swan Road, 520-849-7774 9121 E. Tanque Verde Road, 520-749-3903 lebuzzcaffe.com
415 N. Fourth Avenue 520-624-4411, cafepassetucson.com
2707 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-321-1860 facebook.com/roccoslittlechicago
For nearly a quarter of a century, Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria has brought the deep-dish traditions of the Windy City to Tucson. Every pizza at Rocco’s is made fresh daily using the finest ingredients. In addition to traditional thin and thick crust favorites, the menu features specialties such as Fungus Humongous, Angry Samoan and Ggreat Chicago Fire.
Brooklyn Pizza Company
534 N. Fourth Avenue 520-622-6868, brooklynpizzacompany.com
101 E. Pennington Street
7262 N. Oracle Road 520-882-5550, reillypizza.com
Multiple locations, eegees.com
Dipped in Eegee’s famous ranch dressing, the perfectly hot, crinkle-cut fries are the ideal complement to its entrees — or alone. These fries are crispy, but not overfried. The inside is perfectly fluffy, soft and tender. Eegee’s then tosses the hot fries with a light sprinkling of salt.
6390 E. Grant Road, 520-298-2020
1865 E. River Road, Suite 10, 520-299-7799 zinburgeraz.com
Graze
2721 E. Speedway Boulevard, 520-269-6888
5635 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-347-2159 grazepremiumburgers.com
943 E. University Boulevard, 520-624-2930
308 Congress Street , 520-347-3204 thescentedleaf.com
The Scented Leaf is the best tea house and lounge for four years running. The perfect meeting place to catch up, a study sesh or afternoon pick-me-up, this place has a variety of flavors from around the world to choose from.
Tucson Tea Company
4280 N. Campbell Avenue, tucsontea.com
Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas
2516 E. Sixth Street
520-628-2952, sevencups.com
8838 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-207-5883, wobtucson.com
Perfect pairing to a football game, wings are plentiful at Wings Over Broadway. With 13 sauce flavors, customers are sure to find one or a few to make it a finger-licking good meal. Going solo, try the one-dozen bucket deal. There with the crew? Go up to 200 pieces accompanied with 16 ranch or bleu cheese dressings and up to eight flavor choices.
Rocco’s Little Chicago
2707 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-321-1860, roccoslittlechicago.com
Multiple locations, atlwings.com
Multiple locations, elguerocanelo.com
El Guero Canelo delights its customers
by putting a Mexican spin on an American classic. It serves three varieties of hot dogs: Sonoran style, sammy dog and chucho dog. The franks on the Sonoran and Sammy are made of beef, pork and chicken, while the chucho’s franks are 100% beef. Each dog is bacon-wrapped and served with beans, grilled and fresh onions, tomato, mayonnaise, mustard and jalapeno sauce.
BK’s
2680 N. First Avenue, 520-207-2245 5118 S. 12th Avenue, 520-295-0105 bktacos.com
Pat’s
1202 W. Niagara Street 520-624-0891, bit.ly/3LXDRir
6472 N. Oracle Road 520-229-9777, facebook.com/ dickmansmeat
Tucson carnivores love to visit family-owned Dickman’s Meat and Deli to buy frozen USDA prime and choice grade beef, order party trays of meats and cheeses, and dine on sandwiches prepared with Boar’s Head meats and
cheeses. Customers can build their own sandwiches choosing from meats such as jalapeno or hickory bacon, chipotle chicken and mortadella. Cheese selections include three pepper Colby jack, chipotle gouda and horseradish cheddar. All sandwiches are served on breads from Viro’s Italian Bakery.
Fourth Ave Deli
425 N. Fourth Avenue
520-624-3354, 4thavedeli.com
627 S. Vine Avenue 520-792-3173, romaimports.com
3026 N. Campbell Avenue
Other location available on website beyondbread.com
It all starts with the bread. At Beyond Bread, it’s an almost fanatical dedication they have to delivering the freshest and finest homemade artisan bread. From Charlie’s Chicken stacked high with chicken, bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, tomato, red onion and barbecue sauce on a torta roll to Salam’s Shawarma topped
full with plant-based shawarma, beets, tomato, mixed greens, pickled onion, cucumber dill dressing wrapped in a wheat pita, sandwich options are endless.
326 N. Fourth Avenue 520-740-1541, bisonwitches.com
Baggins
Multiple locations, bagginsgourmet.com
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth Street, 520-240-6947
402 E. Fourth Avenue, 520-392-0224
tumerico.com
Tumerico serves up fresh, organic Latin-inspired vegan and vegetarian food using local and pure ingredients to make a great meal. Using locally sourced ingredients results in the daily changes to the menu, keeping everything fresh and flavorful each day. Past creations have included Cuban empanadas and tacos, tamales and chorizo plates.
Lovin’ Spoonfuls
2990 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 120 520-325-7766, lovinspoonfuls.com
Charro Vida
7109 N. Oracle Road 520-779-1922, charrovida.com
4590 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-838-0687, opasbest.com
Brothers and fellow chefs Qais Papoutsis and Nawid Esar create the best Greek food in Tucson, according to our readers.
Owned by Papoutsis, Opa’s Best slowroasts its lamb and makes its baklava inhouse. Diners can enjoy complimentary meze (Mediterranean appetizers) while waiting for orders such as lamb dolmades, spicy chicken souvlaki kabobs, and moussaka. Lunch specials and catering are available.
Zayna
1138 N. Belvedere Avenue 520-881-4348, zaynamediterranean.com
Pappoule’s
7475 N. La Cholla Boulevard 520-544-5551, pappoules.com
Kingfisher Bar and Grill
2564 E. Grant Road 520-323-7739, kingfishertucson.com
Landlocked? It’s not a problem for Kingfisher Bar and Grill, which has been serving award-winning cuisine since 1993. The seafood dishes — as well as grilled meats and poultry — are inspired by the multiple American cooking styles, all interpreted by chefs and owners Jeff Azersky and Jim “Murph” Murphy.
Mariscos Chihuahua
Multiple locations, mariscoschihuahua.com Wild Garlic Grill
2870 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 120 520-206-0017, wildgarlicgrill.com
1803 E. Prince Road 520-326-9095, ghiniscafe.com
Born and trained in Marseilles, chef Coralie Satta brings the exquisite flavors of southern French cuisine to her award-winning restaurant, Ghini’s French Caffe.
Open for breakfast and lunch, the restaurant uses fresh, local, ethically farmed
ingredients to create dishes such as eggs
Provencal, croque madame and a chicken cordon blue sandwich. The menu offers vegan and gluten-free selections. The pet-friendly restaurant supports several local charities. Gifts for purchase and an email newsletter are available.
2870 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 120 520-206-0017, wildgarlicgrill.com
Le Rendez-Vous
3844 Fort Lowell Road 520-323-7373, rendezvoustucson.com
7002 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-495-4772
2970 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-344-7369
bajacafetucson.com
With 14 varieties of eggs Benedict, Tucson readers say Baja Café is this best place in town to enjoy this breakfast classic. The restaurant’s creations include Southwest short rib tots, the mac daddy (made with crispy fried chipotle mac), and black widow (featuring herbed cream cheese and pesto hollandaise sauce). Ingredients such as hominy, tamales and shredded brisket are incorporated into other varieties.
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Avenue
520-327-7577, bluewillowtucson.com
2660 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-326-7737
6450 E. Grant Road, Suite 160, 520-838-0809
prepandpastry.com
310 E. Benson Highway 520-622-6253 thesilversaddlesteakhouse.com
Since 1984. family-owned and -operated Silver Saddle has been satisfying its customers with steaks cooked over a custom steel and brick mesquite wood grill and pit. The steakhouse butchers its cuts onsite to ensure the age of the beef, which in turn ensures the tenderness of the meat.
A salad bar, wine list and kids menu are available.
Saffron Indian Bistro
7607 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley
520-742-9100, saffronindianbistro.net
Indian food is the perfect comfort meal.
Subtle, delicate preparations in mod, minimalist surroundings, coupled with dishes like chicken tikka masala, are amazing.
The national dish of England, chicken tikka masala is slowly simmered in Saffron’s famous tomato sauce with a hint of cream and zesty Indian herbs and spices. The tandoori lamb chops feature fine cut premium New Zealand lamb marinated overnight in 20 herbs and spices. It’s a Saffron specialty. Mouth watering yet?
Sher-e-Punjab
3 E. Grant Road
520-624-9393, sherepunjabtucson.com
Indian Twist
4660 E. Camp Lowell Drive 520-495-5499, indiantwistaz.com
found throughout the island. From jerk chicken to curry goat and the signature rum punch, taste buds are in for a ride. Keep it simple with festivals (fry bread) or beef patties. Or mix it up with oxtail or ackee and codfish.
D’s Island Grill
3156 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-861-2271, dsislandgrill.com
3048 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-326-4700
7401 N. La Cholla Boulevard, 520-877-8744 sushigarden.com
When Tucson readers want fresh sushi, they prefer to get it at Sushi Garden. The restaurant offers traditional and unique takes on sushi, nigiri and sashimi. Diners can select from options such as the lobster tail, lollipop, Baja jalapeno and volcano rolls. Online reservations, takeout and delivery are available.
Sachiko Sushi
CeeDee Jamaican Kitchen
5305 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-3400
Bringing Jamaica to Arizona, this restaurant dishes out the Caribbean flavors
1101 N. Wilmot Road, Suite 109 520-886-7000
Sushi on Oracle 6449 N. Oracle Road 520-297-3615, sushionoracle.net
434 N. Fourth Avenue
520-624-5765, carusositalian.com
An absolute Tucson favorite, Caruso’s has had the best selection of fine Italian food for over 80 years. For starters, enjoy its antipasto appetizer that includes thinly sliced meats, cheeses and veggies on a bed of lettuce before diving into any traditional Italian favorite pasta, ravioli or eggplant Parmigiana. Don’t forget dessert! The cappuccino freeze is to die for.
6440 N. Campbell Avenue 520-795-7221, vivacetucson.com
Locale Neighborhood Italian Restaurant
60 N. Alvernon Way 520-398-7553, localetucson.com
Multiple locations, bajacafetucson.com Home of the snickerdoodle pancake, Baja is the best. If you’re looking for an awesome breakfast or brunch recommendation, look no further. For something sweet, try its gooey pineapple express pancake or its famous snickerdoodle pancake
topped with a vanilla bean cream cheese glaze. If you’d rather opt for something savory, check out the train wreck with sauteed veggies, crispy hash browns and green chile tomatillo sauce, paired with a specialty bloody mary. They’re always busy, so run, don’t walk to the Baja Cafe that is closest to you.
Multiple locations, bisbeebreakfastclub.com
Blue Willow
2616 N. Campbell Avenue 520-327-7577, bluewillowtucson.com
2990 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-777-7888
12125 N. Oracle Road, 520-655-3999 tuktukthai2990.com
Artistically prepared dishes using the finest available ingredients make Tuk Tuk Thai the top choice among our readers for Thai food in Tucson. The restaurant, which describes its cuisine as Thai street food, offers a menu with choices such as pumpkin curry chicken, crab noodle, pad thai street style with shrimp, and chef-recommended panang curry duck. Online ordering and private dining are available.
Bangkok Cafe
2511 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-323-6555, bangkokcafe.net
Bai Thong
4853 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-881-5068, facebook.com/baithongintucson
2741 N. Campbell Avenue 520-320-1574, yoshimatsuaz.com
Chef-owner Yoshimi Tashima not only cooks up what our readers say is the best Japanese food in town, she has a personal interest in ensuring that customers receive healthy meals. A cancer survivor who believes in the healing power of food, she emphasizes vegetables in multiple dishes, uses organic ingredients as much as possible, and never adds MSG to anything. In addition to bento boxes, noodles and sushi, the restaurant serves a variety of ramens, including immune booster ginger mushroom ramen. Happy hour; a sushi menu; lunch specials; gluten-free options; and delivery through Postmates, DoorDash and GrubHub are available.
Obon
350 E. Congress Street 520-485-3590, obonsushi.com
Raijin Ramen
2955 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-795-3123, raijinramentucson.com
2660 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-326-7737
6450 E. Grant Road, 520-838-0809 prepandpastry.com
Whether it’s an early morning breakfast with a client, lunch with a friend or brunch with the fam, head over to Prep & Pastry. The menu is compact, which means everything is prepared to order; there’s none of that frozen stuff. Look for biscuits and gravy, fried chicken sandwiches or classic French toast. Top off your meal with any number of teas, fresh squeezed orange juice or better yet, a mimosa or sangria. Then there are the yummy baked goods to take home.
Blue Willow Restaurant and Gift Shop
2616 N. Campbell Avenue 520-327-7577, bluewillowtucson.com
Baja Cafe
Multiple locations, bajacafetucson@gmail.com
Multiple locations, misssaigontucson.com Miss Saigon prides itself on serving the best Vietnamese cuisine and adapting it to the American way of life. The popular restaurant uses fresh ingredients to prepare pho, egg noodle soups, rice plates, vermicelli and other dishes. Vegetarian options, reservations and takeout are available.
Ha Long Bay
7245 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-571-1338, halongbaymenu.com
Saigon Pho
943 E. University Boulevard, Suite 107 520-624-0999, phorestauranttucson.com
1138 N. Belvedere Avenue
520-881-4348, zaynamediterranean.com
Tucson readers love the healthy Mediterranean dishes made with fresh, quality ingredients at Zayna. With menu choices such as garlic yogurt, chicken shawarma salad, lamb kofta and a cauliflower sandwich, Zayna keeps its customers happy and healthy. Vegan options and takeout are available.
Persian Room
9290 N. Thornydale Road, Suite 100 520-744-1414, persianroom.com
Istanbul Mediterranean Food
2945 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-849-7945, istanbultucson.com
6433 N. Oracle Road, 520-297-1862
4704 N. Sunrise Drive, 520-299-8088
goldendragontucson.com
For more than three decades, Golden Dragon has been providing Tucson with a traditional and authentic Chinese dining experience. Using fresh ingredients to create dishes that are as appealing to the palette as they are to the eye, the restaurant serves plates that represent all of China’s regions. The extensive menu features numerous Chinese favorites based on vegetables, noodles, beef, pork, seafood, chicken and duck. Online ordering and family dinners are available.
2933 E. Grant Road 520-881-0778, jundynasty.com
Guilin
4445 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-320-7768, guilintucson.com
7037 N. Oracle Road
wildflowertucson.com
Wildflower is a modern American restaurant that is inspired by culinary traditions from around the world. This fusion is reflected in menu items such as short rib ravioli, lemongrass skewered scallops, and its grilled shrimp and avocado bowl. Gift cards, group dining, a loyalty club,
passing by the historic Downtown hotel, our readers recommend eating at Cup Café. Located within the hotel, Cup Café features something for every time of day. Diners can choose from Creole breakfast, cast iron baked eggs or a vegan breakfast tamale in the morning. The lunch menu includes drunken fish tacos and a Cuban sandwich. Hemp tamales, mesquite smoked ribs and pork schnitzel are available for dinner.
online orders and reservations
Tito & Pep
4122 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-207-0116, titoandpep.com
Feast
3179 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-326-9363, eatatfeast.com
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848
hotelcongress.com/family/the-cup Whether heading out to hear live music at Hotel Congress’ Club Congress or just
266 Congress Street 520-207-8201, hubdowntown.com
101 E. Pennington Street
7262 N. Oracle Road 520-882-5550, reillypizza.com
6453 N. Oracle Road 520-797-1233, theparishtucson.com Southern hospitality, charm and cuisine are the hallmarks of The Parish, our readers’ favorite spot in northwestern Tucson. The gastropub adds a unique twist to Southern comfort food. Menu choices include shrimp and grits, catfish poboy,
cast iron cornbread and hot legs le’jean (made with frog legs). Happy hour, gift cards, online ordering and a loyalty pro gram are available.
7037 N. Oracle Road 520-219-4230, wildflowertucson.com
7109 N. Oracle Road 520-779-1922, charrovida.com
2616 N. Campbell Avenue 520-327-7577, bluewillowtucson.com
For more than four decades, fami ly-owned Blue Willow has been feeding central Tucson with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Diners can enjoy Sonoran carni tas Benedict in the morning, spinach la sagna in the afternoon, gruyere mac and cheese in the evening, and chocolate sour cream cake for dessert. The restaurant has its own bakery and a gift shop. Gift certificates and takeout are available.
2564 E. Grant Road 520-323-7739, kingfishertucson.com
4122 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-207-0116, titoandpep.com
6440 N. Campbell Avenue 520-795-7221, vivacetucson.com
Exquisite northern Italian cuisine crafted with the finest ingredients and served in an elegant setting makes Vivace the top destination for fine dining, according to Tucson readers. Menu selections include osso buco, crab-filled breaded chicken breast, seafood lasagnette and vegan Bo lognese. Private dining and takeout with curbside pickup are available.
2870 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 120 520-206-0017, wildgarlicgrill.com
The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road 520-526-9345, bit.ly/3E1j1N3
6320 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-296-1631, jonathanscork.com
The décor, artwork and menu at Jon athan’s Cork are authentically South
west. Award-winning chef Johnathan Landeen’s menu features dishes not found among typical restaurant fare: os trich, bison filet and venison. There are plenty of less exotic choices, as well as a full bar. Happy hour, catering and gift cards are available.
3750 S. Old Spanish Trail 520-886-2020, bit.ly/3SIHqLp
Zona 78
7301 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-296-7878, zona78.com
2731 E. Broadway Boulevard 119 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-882-4955, zemamsrestaurants.com
A refugee from his homeland, Amanuel Gebremariam opened Zemam’s in 1993 as Tucson’s first Ethiopian restaurant. Today, the family-owned establishment serves the best cuisine from Ethiopia or anywhere else in Africa, according to our readers. Diners can order a variety of mild and spicy vegetable and meat dish es that are served on injera, a healthy, spongy bread made from teff, an Ethi opian grain. The dishes are served in a traditional way, to be shared communally and using the injera instead of utensils to pick up the food.
Cafe Desta
758 S. Stone Avenue 520-370-7000, destacafe.com
Alafia West African Cuisine
1070 N. Swan Road 520-331-7161 facebook.com/alafiawestafricancuisine
1813 S. Fourth Avenue 520-622-5081, miniditorestaurant.com
Tucson readers say that the best food to eat south of Downtown is the south of the border cuisine cooked up at Mi Nidito. Since 1952, the family-owned restaurant has served famous politicians, entertain ers, athletes and loyal Tucsonans. They have come for delicious Sonoran plates of chimichangas, flautas, chiles rellenos and enchiladas. For the curious, the menu even offers the President’s Plate, which is the identical meal President Bill Clinton had at the restaurant in 1999.
Rollie’s
4573 S. 12th Avenue 520-300-6289, facebook.com/rolliestucson
El Torero
231 E. 26th Street 520-622-9534, eltorerotucson.com
533 N. Fourth Avenue 520-777-8134, bocatacos.com
Chef Maria Mazon is the founder, owner and executive chef of her Boca Tacos y Tequila. Her street cred is extensive. Her TV appearances include a top five finish on season 18 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Boca allows guests to fully imbibe in the art of Mexican food. Of course, the tacos with homemade tortillas are wonderful, but the flight of house-made salsa and chips and creative margaritas are off the charts.
Travis Peters, The Parish
53 N. Oracle Road 520-797-1233, theparishtucson.com
Mateo Otera, Rollies Mexican Patio
4573 S. 12th Avenue 520-300-6289, rolliestucson.com
2870 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 120 520-206-0017, wildgarlicgrill.com
As a couple, French-trained chef Steven Schultz and his spouse, owner Maudi Gourdin, create a family-like atmosphere that permeates Wild Garlic Grill. For the past decade they have pleased guests with responsibly cultivated California cuisine that has a French accent. Diners can enjoy entrees such as grilled garlic shrimp salad, San Francisco pier stew and chef’s special risotto. Patio dining, happy hour and catering are available.
Vivace
6440 N. Campbell Avenue 520-795-7221, vivacetucson.com
North Italia
2995 E. Skyline Drive 520-299-1600, northitalia.com
Downtown
Street Taco and Beer Co.
58 W. Congress Street 520-355-1183 facebook.com/streetoncongress
When grabbing lunch while Downtown,
our readers love to stop by Street Taco and Beer Co. The fast-casual Mexican restaurant sources all of its food locally. Patrons love to order authentic street ta cos, be they fish, carne asada, veggies or other varieties. The restaurant prepares all of its food, agua frescas, salsas and marinades fresh and in-house.
Boca Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue 520-777-8134, bocatacos.com
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com/family/the-cup
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
The sights, smells and flavors of authentic Mexican street food make Seis our read ers’ top choice for dining on the West side. Seis is committed to being a green restaurant by using locally raised and sustainably sourced ingredients, as well as packaging that is either recycled or bio degradable. Diners can therefore feel bet ter when enjoying menu choices such as calabacitas tacos, surf and turf burritos, or veggie nachos grande. Happy hour, take out, delivery and catering are available.
READER RECOMMENDED
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
2456 N. Silver Mosaic Drive 520-624-4512, teresasmosaic.com
Agustin Kitchen
100 S. Avenida Del Convento, Suite 150 520-398-5382, agustinkitchen.com
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth Street, 520-240-6947
402 E. Fourth Avenue, 520-392-0224
tumerico.com
Aside from the daily changing dishes be ing vegetarian and/or vegan, they are also gluten free. Whether by personal prefer ence or medical condition, gluten-free options are on the menu for everyone who still wants a delicious meal. Fresh ingredients and spices combine to make mouthwatering Latin-inspired dishes for each customer.
READER RECOMMENDED
Gourmet Girls Gluten-Free Bakery 5845 N. Oracle Road 520-408-9000, gourmetgirlsglutenfree.com
Charro Vida
7109 N. Oracle Road 520-779-1922, charrovida.com
LaCo (formerly La Cocina)
201 N. Court Avenue
520-622-0351, lacotucson.com
Nestled within the walls of Old Town Ar tisans in the Presidio District, LaCo is the nicest spot in town to dine al fresco, in the opinion of Tucson readers. Diners can en joy live music several nights a week while ordering menu choices such as cauliflow er wings, elote pasta and pork solomo sandwich. Online reservations and Satur day and Sunday brunches are available.
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com/family/the-cup
Locale
60 N. Alvernon Way 520-398-7553, localetucson.com
Takamatsu
5532 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-512-0800, takatucson.net
For more than a quarter century, Taka matsu has been providing Tucsonans au thentic Korean (and Japanese) cuisine. Patrons can choose from a wide selection of cold noodle dishes, Korean barbecue entrees and other entrees, such as bibim bop. They can also have a Korean beer or another Korean adult beverage with their meal. Happy hour, lunch specials, and delivery through GrubHub are available.
Korea House
4030 E. Speedway Boulevard, 520-325-4377
Kim Chi Time 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard, 520-305-4900
40 E. Congress Street 520-645-1922, themonicatucson.com
The Monica carries a long history dating back to the 1920s with Monica Flin, deemed the Grande Dame of women restaurateurs in Tucson, according to the restaurant’s website. Flin started her restaurant, El Charro Café, in 1922 and the restaurant is still run by the family today. The Monica is a new dining experience for fresh and fast breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch and every time in between offering a variety of dining options including plant-based, gluten-free and keto-friendly choices.
The Delta Bar & Grill
135 S. Sixth Avenue, 520-524-3400
BATA
35 E. Toole Avenue, batatucson.com
Multiple locations, elcharrocafe.com
Established in 1922, El Charro Café celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Certified as one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the nation, El Charro has been under the same family operation for generations. A local staple on a national scale, the family is well known for their invention of the chimichanga and legendary menu. Voted this year’s best signature dish, their world-famous Carne Seca is an all-natural marinated lean Angus beef that is dried, shredded and grilled with green chile, tomato and onions.
Drunken Angel at the Parish
6453 N. Oracle Road 520-797-1233, theparishtucson.com
Baked Eggs at Cup Cafe
311 E. Congress Street 520-798-1618, hotelcongress.com
Guest Ranch Resort
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road 520-526-9345, haciendadelsol.com
A four-star jewel in the Sonoran Desert, the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch’s location offers breathtaking views of the natural wonder surrounding it. Minutes away from Finger Rock Canyon and oth-
er local hotspots, this luxurious desert retreat provides its guests with an authentic Southwestern experience. Indulge at the award-winning Terraza’s outdoor patio and choose from a selection of over 800 wines or at the Grill for its innovative New American cuisine.
READER RECOMMENDED
Vivace Restaurant
6440 N. Campbell Avenue 520-795-7221, vivacetucson.com
Saguaro Corners Restaurant & Bar
3750 S. Old Spanish Trail 520-886-2020 saguaro-corners-restaurant-bar.business.site
110 E. Pennington Street 520-867-8441, lachingadacocina.com
Yeah, it’s a bad word, but the food, well, that’s something else. Street tacos, enchiladas, tamales, chile rellenos, fajitas: There is something for every taste. Live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays y Mariachi Pueblo Viejo en Domingos (Sundays).
311 N. Court Avenue 520-622-1922, elcharrocafe.com
Hacienda del Sol
5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road 520-526-9345, haciendadelsol.com/dining
727 W. Ajo Way, 520-551-6787
2100 W. Grant Road, Suite 110 520-624-4367, funlandraspados.com
Established in 1999, Funland Raspados has served the Tucson community for over 20 years. Formerly a party rental service, the full-time raspadería provides guests with a variety of delicious cold treats such as raspados, fruit salads and agua frescas and hot meals such as burgers, tamales or tortas. Their combinations are endless. Try some of your favorite snacks loaded up with an assortment of fixings like avocado, elote or jalapenos. There’s a tasty treat for everybody.
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
Beyond Bread
Multiple locations beyondbread.com
640 N. Stone Avenue, 520-495-0920
Looking for a piñata to spice up your next gathering? Venture no farther than Piñata Factory to find a variety of recognizable characters to custom made piñatas for any occasion. All are reasonably priced and completed in a timely manner.
Food City
Multiple locations myfoodcity.com
2100 W. Grant Road, Suite 110 520-624-4367, funlandraspados.com
4573 S. 12th Avenue 520-300-6289, rolliestucson.com
Slow and steady melding of the choice of meat and spices is what makes the birria at Rollies Mexican Patio worthy of repeat customers. Get an order of birria street tacos or try out the quesabirria, birria rojo cheesy tacos and let the flavors speak for themselves. It’s available in quesadillas, enchiladas, ramen and as a birria cheesecrisp burger.
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
El Rustico
2281 N. Oracle Road 520-623-3478, tacorustico.com
Multiple locations
laestrellabakeryincaz.com
The only acceptable excuse to be late on your way to the office, La Estrella Bakery is another Tucson favorite. A family tradition for over 30 years, this Tucson staple bakes traditional pan dulce, cookies and
pastries using traditional family recipes with the flavor of Jalisco. La Estrella Bakery maintains Mexican culture, heritage and values through their edible art and offers school tours for students to learn the history behind the craft.
READER RECOMMENDED
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory
5330 S. 12th Avenue 520-889-2279, alejandrostortillafactory.com
El Triunfo Bakery
6348 S. Nogales Highway, 520-573-1884
Cocina & Cantina
3940 E. 29th Street, 520-207-4004
61 E. Congress Street, 520-849-6539 thenei.com
Home of Tucson’s Best Michelada, The Neighborhood Cocina & Cantina knows how to serve up its award-winning Neighborhood Michelada. A savory tomato-based beverage served with your cerveza of choice, Mexican candy, spices, olives, fruit or veggies — this drink is like a small snack in a glass.
READER RECOMMENDED BK’s
5118 S. 12th Avenue, 520-295-0105 2680 N. First Avenue, 520-207-2245 bktacos.com
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Avenue 520-623-2088, cheslounge.com
Los Amigos Meat Market
3929 S. 12th Avenue 520-889-2969, facebook.com/losamigosmeats
Since 1978, Los Amigos Meat Market has served the Tucson community with its old-time service and meat. This local butcher shop offers excellent prices, fast service and lo mejor en carnes, or some of the best meats in Tucson. Longtime customers recommend the chorizo.
El Herradero
Multiple locations, 520-268-8694
El Novillo
7885 E. Golf Links Road 520-721-5094
1220 E. Prince Road, 520-323-1022 7360 N. Oracle Road, 520-989-0500 guaralajaraoriginalgrill.com
One of the best ways to start a Mexican meal is tortilla chips and a dip. When it comes to Guadalajara’s guacamole, it is made fresh right in front of guests so they can customize it. Add spice or keep it simple and make it the best dip for the freshly made tortilla chips.
READER RECOMMENDED El Charro Café
Multiple locations, elcharrocafe.com
Seis Kitchen
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
533 N. Fourth Avenue 520-777-8134, bocatacos.com
With James Beard Foundation semifinalist chef Maria Mazon behind the scenes, dishes are sure to pack the flavor. Mazon was born in Tucson but grew up in Sonora, Mexico, and blends tastes from those areas, including into simple dishes like salsa.
1220 E. Prince Road, 520-323-1022 7360 N. Oracle Road, 520-898-0500 guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com
El Charro
Multiple locations, elcharrocafe.com
7159 E. Tanque Verde, 520-298-8404 7286 N. Oracle Road, 520-403-1888
tucsontamale.com
The family-owned and -operated Tucson Tamale Company aims to make delicious and healthy tamales for guests — and it succeeds, according to readers. Tucson Tamale Company has a wide variety, ranging from combo boxes to classic green. Tucson Tamale Company has been nominated for Tucson Weekly’s best tamale for more than a decade.
El Charro
311 N. Court Avenue 520-622-1922, elcharrocafe.com
El Torero
231 E. 26th Street 520-622-9534, eltorerotucson.com
5330 S. 12th Avenue
520-889-2279
alejandrostortillafactory.com
Operating since 1980, Alejandro’s Tortil la Factory dishes out freshly made corn and flour tortillas daily. Corn tortillas come in a variety of sizes from 4 inches to 9 inches. Flour tortillas range from 6 to 12 inches across.
La Estrella Bakery
Multiple locations, laestrellabakeryincaz.com Anita Street Market
849 N. Anita Avenue 520-882-5280, anitasstreetmarket.com
Oasis Oasis Fruit Cones
4126 S. 12th Avenue, 520-741-7106
Sonoran Delights
921 W. Congress Street 520-623-3020, places.singleplatform.com
614 N. Grande Avenue 520-622-0685, taniasongrande.com
Located in the heart of Tucson’s Barrio Hollywood for the past 33 years, Tania’s 33 serves some of the best Sonoran and vegan Mexican food for everyone’s most important meal. From breakfast plates, bowls, burritos and nachos — Tania’s 33 serves breakfast foods all day! Try a standard bacon, eggs and cheeze or per haps a soy chorizo burrito. There’s a bur rito for everybody.
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
Nico’s Multiple locations, ordernicosmexicanfood.com
5917 E. 22nd Street
520-398-5817
This iconic shop on 22nd leaves ice cream goers in awe, with countless offers, from the delicious Fresa y Piña to the Diablito de Naranjita. Raspados El Paraiso always uses the best natural and authentic ingre dients to deliver one of the most breath taking shaved ice experiences in Tucson.
La Estrella Bakery
120 S. Avenida del Convento, Suite 100 520-393-3320
901 N. Grande Avenue, 520-792-6372
5266 S. 12th Avenue, 520-741-0656
Le Cave’s Bakery
3950 E. 22nd Street, 520-624-2561
3501 S. 12th Avenue, 520-670-1248
6741 N. Thornydale Road, Suite 121 520-395-0871
tacosapson.com
Is it a burrito or sandwich? No matter the classification, Tacos Apson serves up the best torta throughout all of Tucson. Offering the true flavor of Sonora, Mexi co, Tacos Apson makes tacos, burros, tor tas and more with your favorite proteins.
From carne asada, barbacoa or frijol, or der your torta however you like and pair it with a refreshing agua fresca like Ja maica or horchata.
Seis
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
Barrio Charro
3699 N. Campbell Avenue 520-372-1922, barriocharro.com
4340 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 101 520-867-4134, reformatucson.com
Reforma boasts Arizona’s largest selec tion of mezcal and tequila, with a crea tive list of margaritas to match. Choose from 10 margaritas, including strawberry jalapeno, cucumber mint, blueberry basil and prickly pear. Can’t choose just one?
Try a flight with three margarita.
Guadalajara Grill
1220 E. Prince Road, 520-323-1022
7360 N. Oracle Road, 520-898-0500 guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com
El Charro
Multiple locations, elcharrocafe.com
Zio Peppe
6502 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-888-4242, ziopeppeaz.com
Zio Peppe’s menu is anchored in Italian American classics but draws heavy influ ence from the food and flavor profiles of Tucson and the Sonoran region. In terms of its take on the dish, elote arancini is made with street corn, risotto, lime crema and queso fresco.
READER RECOMMENDED
Boca Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue 520-777-8134, bocatacos.com
Ermanos
220 N. Fourth Avenue 520-445-6625, ermanosbrew.com
Anita Street Market
849 N. Anita Avenue 520-882-5280, anitastmarket@hotmail.com Anita Street Market is a homemade Mex ican restaurant offering Tucson authen tic burritos, chorizos and tortillas. With its best ingredient being love, the staff’s main focus is ensuring the quality of the customer experience. The empanadas stand out among other entrees. Check them out!
Boca Tacos y Tequila
533 N. Fourth Avenue 520-777-8134, bocatacos.com
Tucson native Maria Mazon knows how to change up her menu with a variety of salsas and “one-of-a-kind” tacos that are a must-try. Incorporating fresh ingredi ents that she grows behind the restau rant, Boca Tacos and Tequila is a hot spot for some of the best tacos in Tucson. Or der a meat, seafood or veggie taco, or one of everything. You won’t be disappointed.
Multiple locations, seiskitchen.com
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
2456 N. Silver Mosaic Drive 520-624-4512, teresasmosaic.com
614 N. Grande Avenue 520-622-0685, taniasongrande.com
Red or white, Tania’s 33 is serving up some of the best menudo in all of Bar rio Hollywood. Perfect for a hangover or breakfast craving, you can order 16 or 32 ounces, half or an entire gallon. Served with cilantro, onion, lemon and salsa, you’ll definitely want to order a toasted pan birote on the side!
354 S. Main Avenue 520-882-4145, elminutotucson.com
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
2456 N. Silver Mosaic Drive 520-624-4512, teresasmosaic.com
Voted the best, Miss Olivia and the Interlopers may also be the most versatile musical act in town. You’ll find her band at trendy Downtown venues like Revel Wine Bar and Tap and Bottle, or at the Fox Tucson Theatre for its popular Second Saturdays Downtown events. Look for her, too, at fundraisers and unique special events that combine her skill sets as a musician and bartender, like the recent Sazerac Week, when her band played both The Parish and The Delta to celebrate New Orleans and its favorite cocktail.
Whiskey Treats whiskeytreats.com
XIXA xixamusic.com
If you’re looking to “leave your hat on,” and your “road leads” northwest of town, you’ll be “Tempted” by two of Tucson-area country music lovers’ most popular watering holes, The Station and Whiskey Roads. Often, the Mark Miller Band is there playing country favorites from the ’90s. Go ahead and “Dance the Night Away” like the Mavericks.
The Dirt
facebook.com/thedirthairband
Jukebox Junqies Band thejukeboxjunqies.com
facebook.com/mudpuppyaz
For a short time, the young women of Mudpuppy disrupted the long tradition
of Tucson punk by ending Pork Torta’s decades of predictable dominance. Like Amazons on fire with the rage of youth, they railed against, for instance, misogyny. Alas, fans, Mudpuppy is kaput, but there’s good news. We can still find Tara Berger and Odalys Catalan in other music projects around town.
Pork Torta
facebook.com
Closet Goth facebook.com/closetgothisgood
Connie Brannock and the Little House of Funk conniebrannockband.com Blues, funk, boogie, barrel roll, honkytonk — it’s all jazz, man, at least in the repertoire of Connie Brannock and her Little House of Funk. Brannock makes it look so easy and sound so good, it’s as if
to breathe were to swing. Wherever she plays, her Little House (or sometimes Tiny House) has room for other Tucson favorites to join in, like Heather Hardy, Mitzi Cowell, Rich Katz and Tyrone Williams.
Crystal Stark crystalstarkmusic.com
Chateau Chateau chateauchateaumusic.com
The Dirt thedirtrocks.com
The Dirt proudly claims to be a tribute to ’80s hair metal bands. Nothing, of course, rocked harder before or since. Their energy can be alarming in that really fierce, ’80s you-could-get-killed-in-the-mosh-pit way. Now, of course, we have security in that really good, throw-your-ass-in-jail way. You should probably be careful of
your joints anyway as you rock out to Mötley Crüe, Guns N Roses, Quiet Riot, Ratt, etc. Maybe chewables will chill you out some.
birdsandarrows.com
Drop D
facebook.com/dropdaz
leilalopezsongs.com
Multi-instrumentalist Leila Lopez has not stopped playing music since she was first tall enough to reach a piano’s keys. She grew up here, and her music is a Tucson soundscape. She produces her own recordings in her home studio, playing all the instruments. Fans await a follow-up to the remarkable document of her life to date in 2017’s “Animal Skin.” Meanwhile, she performs the repertoire accumulated all her life.
The Tucsonics
facebook.com/tucsonics
Ryanhood ryanhood.com
Marley B is always a contender in this category, rarely dropping below the top three. He takes his business as serious ly as his talent. His rhymes are tight, his messages resonant and relevant, but it’s likely that his consistent social media presence, and regular sharing of new material also help keep him on top. He’s becoming a welcome guest even at outof-town fests.
Cash Lansky
facebook.com/cashlanskyheis
Big Vinci tiktok.com/@vinciraps
Mark Miller Band
markmillerband.com
Mark Miller may seem like an overnight success, but talent does that. His country baritone voice is magic, with the kind of effortless phrasing that producers earn big money for in Nashville. Long a reg ular live act at Frog & Firkin, Miller and his band took off in the virtual world ear ly in 2020 with a weekly Friday show on
Facebook Live. The show was a hit and led him to hire a manager and release an original iTunes single, “Run Away with Me.” Watch this space.
Hank Topless hanktoplessmusic.com
facebook.com/jahmarinternational
Maybe it’s his Jamaican roots that give a unique edge to Jahmar Anthony’s mixes. You have heard his work if you’ve partied at Mr. Head’s or HUSH Social Club. In sistent and insinuating, the beats almost compel dancing. Anthony also produc es several rap and reggae artists and is first call for beats, any category. He also runs Club Lyfe Apparel, specializing in T-shirts with a sleek headphones motif.
Neon Prophet facebook.com/nepromusic ZeeCeeKeely facebook.com/zeeceeofficial
Connie Braddock and the Little House of Funk conniebrannockband.com
It’s a tribute to her talent, versatility and even stamina that Connie Braddock, who also won the best jazz category, may be the most frequently booked musician in Tucson. It’s the breadth of her repertoire and the emotional content of her deliv ery that so successfully connects her to fans. She also keeps her sets fresh with new material that she sells online and at shows. She’s a pro’s pro, and she attracts the best pros to play along.
Miss Oliva and the Interlopers missoliviaandtheinterlopers.com
Funky Bonz facebook.com/FunkyBonz
616 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-3053, ibtstucson.com
IBT’s is the best place to go to be who you are whoever you are. The acceptance is so thick and rich you could almost cut it with a knife. So how do we reconcile that with the air of privacy, bordering on indif ference? IBT’s has been pulling off that
hat trick since 1985. If you really want to be noticed, just get your drag on. The club hosts drag shows every weekend.
READER RECOMMENDED
Surly Wench Pub
424 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
Brodie’s
2449 N. Stone Avenue 520-623-3970 facebook.com/brodiesdarkhorseeatery
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
It’s hard to beat Club Congress for latenight cache. It’s a legendary, and safe, meeting spot for people who love to party and meet new folks. It has the ambience of a Downtown center of nightlife, unquestionably the classiest on its corner. The bar is historic, having been moved from a few blocks east on Congress, and it offers an assortment of classic cocktails. Every dance night at Congress, in the club or the plaza, has a unique sound and sensibility — funk, Latin, electro and more. Dance in the club every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on the plaza per the website calendar.
IBT’s
616 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-3053, ibtstucson.com
Whiskey Roads
2290 W. Ina Road 520-219-0134, whiskeyroadstucson.com
5655 W. Valencia Road 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com
Casino Del Sol has some winning numbers. It has more than 1,300 slot machines and electronic games, plus live roulette, craps, baccarat, two kinds of blackjack, three kinds of poker, and bingo. There’s also a high-limit room if you’re feeling flush. Other impressive numbers are in the 2,000-seat AVA Amphitheater that hosts dozens of world-class acts throughout the year. The resort has 250 rooms and suites, and the spa offers, among other things, a Yaqui-inspired flower ritual.
7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita 520-294-7777, ddcaz.com
318 E. Congress Street 520-740-1000, rialtotheatre.com
The Rialto Theatre turned 100 in 2020, and it’s never looked better. Maybe even more importantly, it’s never sounded better. The flexibility with seating capacity has made it ideal for standing “rawk” shows and danceable hip-hop, rap and Latin sounds, while also allowing for sit-down boomer rock, folk and ambient and immersive projects that use both the floor and the stage. Then there’s the sui generis but essential Mexican Wrestling. It comes in first, here, every year, and is regularly voted one of the top 100 rock venues in the world.
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
AVA Amphitheater, Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Road 1-800-344-9435 casinodelsol.com/venues/ava-amphitheater
874 E. University Boulevard 520-623-7507, frogandfirkin.com
Frog N Firkin feels quite literally like a home (which it once was) where everyone might know each other. Meet friends for a drink or just people-watch along the Third Avenue shopping district and the SunLink streetcar line. The beer selection is great, but the main attraction is the menu. It’s so much better than it has to be at that location, full of innovative dishes that are both healthy and economical for a student budget. Right there, too, are all those high-fat and sugar options to feed athletic aspirations or a broken heart.
Gentle Ben’s
865 E. University Boulevard 520-624-4177, gentlebens.com
The Hut
305 N. Fourth Avenue 520-623-3200, facebook.com/thehuttucson
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge
4155 E. Grant Road 520-326-1345
The Shelter isn’t self-conscious about its legitimate status as an icon of trendy, midcentury modern architecture. Its affect is more old Vegas than Frank Lloyd
Wright. Lava lamps, paintings on velvet and JFK memorabilia are everywhere.
The ambient sound is of ’60s hits. B-movies of the era are always on screen. Bartenders are even versed in the era’s mixology, if that’s a customer’s pleasure. The bathroom walls, reportedly, are home to some great bad jokes.
403 N. Sixth Avenue, Suite 135, 520-344-8999
7254 N. Oracle Road, 520-268-8725 facebook.com/thetapandbottle
538 E. Ninth Street
520-623-6811, buffetbartucson.com
Mo Urban
facebook.com/SomeMoComedy
Mo Urban is an overachiever — in a good way — in comedy and in the Tucson comedy scene. She’s helped launch six open mics. She’s produced or co-produced several shows in Bisbee and four local series including her current quarterly series at Black Rock Brewery. She continues to teach stand-up classes in a course she started five years ago at Tucson Improv Movement that has since added another
course and two more instructors. She’s represented Tucson in the Big Pine and Bird City comedy festivals, and she remains committed to creating safe spaces for marginalized Tucsonans to perform comedy.
instagram.com/allanaerickson
unscrewedtheater.org/the-big-daddies
Multiple locations, tridentgrill.com
The Trident is a gastropub in the proud uniform of a neighborhood sports bar. Patrons are serious enough about sports to get the channel changed on the screens facing their respective tables. The happy hour menu of $6 to $8 treats comes out from 3 to 6 p.m. when there’s $1 off all craft beer, well cocktails and wine by the
glass. We recommend the Kahlua pork tacos with mango sauce or crispy cod tacos with avocado lime.
4340 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 100 520-329-8575, uniontucson.com
800 E. Sixth Street 520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Bumsted’s 1003 N. Stone Avenue 520-323-1010, bumstedsaz.com
Situated ideally in the Best Western Royal Sun Motel, equidistant from Downtown, I-10 and the UA, Bumsted’s restaurant and bar attracts karaoke fans every night of the week. The ambiance is ’80s, but the music selections are intergenerational and practically bottomless. An aspiring vocalist can get more than two or three turns a night. The restaurant and bar are open 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. nightly. All-ages karaoke starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
IBT’s
616 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-3053, ibtstucson.com
Surly Wench 424 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
1062 S. Wilmot Road 520-571-9421, pocketstucson.com
That Pockets has a pro shop almost puts it in a league of its own. Then there’s the sheer volume of pool tables: 10 regulation, 9-foot pocket tables and seven coin-operated bar tables. For more passive moments, there’s the PAC-12 network playing on seven big screens. Serious players can join one of six weekly leagues. Happy hour offers daily specials on drinks and pool from 6 p.m. to midnight, and the lunch special includes a free hour of pool with an entrée and a drink.
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
2910 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-795-3178 facebook.com/dannysloungetucson
Laff’s
2900 E. Broadway 520-323-8669, laffstucson.com Laff’s Comedy Caffe was established as a comedy club in 1986 and, except for the COVID-19 lockdown, has hosted four professional comedy shows every weekend and a legendary open mic on Thursday nights. The club’s first show featured Mark Maron, who performed recently at the Rialto Theater. Their office bulletin boards are covered with photos of others who later achieved fame on stages and screens everywhere. Their kitchen also offers an extensive menu of snacks, including soups, salads, burgers and chicken, including our favorite grilled cheese sandwich.
READER RECOMMENDED Unscrewed Theater
2900 E. Broadway 520-289-8076, unscrewedtheater.org
Tucson Improv Movement
414 E. Ninth Street 520-314-7299, tucsonimprov.com
6090 N. Oracle Road 520-575-1767, putneysbar.com
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Putney’s brings Downtown neighborhood bar culture to the kind of spaciousness we rarely find south of River Road. The enormous patio has a rec-room-sized covered lounge area and several dart boards. Inside, the very long bar is festooned with pennants. Everywhere offers sightlines to several of the bar’s 30 TVs. Two pool tables and a shuffleboard table round out the fun. The pub menu has just the right mix of grandma’s kitchen, your favorite food truck and an arena concession stand.
The Trident Grill
Multiple locations, tridentgrill.com
Red Garter
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
facebook.com/jahmarinternational
DJ Jahmar swept the reggae category, but his jam is broader and always evolving. He’s a first-call DJ for any gathering where beat variations are paramount, and the job is to keep the bodies in motion. Find him most often at Mr. Head’s or HUSH. We can also follow his charity project, DJs Against Hunger, on Instagram at IG Djjahmarintl.
facebook.com/mothertierra
DJ Herm facebook.com/hermdj
facebook.com/patrick.holt.7792
Tempest DuJour put Tucson on the drag map when she was tapped for “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” She has taken this category every year since we created it in 2016. Tucson is exceptionally rich in drag culture for a town our size, and the Reader Recommended contenders are always, in a word, fabulous. Tempest is the alter ego of Patrick Holt, a 6-foot-plus UA professor of costume design and father of two. Tempest’s seamlessly defined character, flawless affect and sharp wit win over audiences at benefits and special events throughout the year.
Lucinda Holliday
facebook.com/ Lucinda-Holliday-289130757783890 Diva ibtstucson.com
2642 N. Campbell Avenue 520-327-0452, plazatucson.com Plaza Liquors has been family owned and operated since it opened in 1978. It barely seems large enough to hold all the varieties of spirits it sells but the selection is a mixologist’s dream. The inventory of Arizona alcoholic beverages, distilled or fermented, is especially extensive. Checking out the many photos on their website can help a shopper save time, but staff is happy to give advice. That could be especially useful in finding favorites among the 500-plus beer options.
READER RECOMMENDED
Rum Runner
3131 E. First Street 520-326-0121, rumrunnertucson.com
Liquor Dan 6161 S. Sixth Avenue 520-294-4313, liquordan.com
6622 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-298-0430, tucsonmaverick.com Every day but Monday, there’s a party with drink specials at The Maverick. Happy hour is 5 to 7 p.m., when you can get a draft or well drink with a bar snack for $3 to $7, and a bucket of five beers for $15. Tuesday and Wednesday there are line dancing and two-step lessons. You can practice them three nights a week when DJs spin country favorites. Live country bands play once or twice a week,
and on Sundays there’s a cowboy brunch. All that and you can leave your hat on.
Whiskey Roads
2290 W. Ina Road 520-219-0134, whiskeyroadstucson.com
Cowpony
6510 E. Tanque Verde Road 520-721-2781, cowponybar.com
The Parish
6453 N. Oracle Road 520-797-1233, theparishtucson.com
The Parish’s classic cocktail, The Parishioner, is a delicately tasty blend of house-infused basil vodka, sweetened lemon juice, grapefruit bitters and orange flower water. Served in a coupe cocktail glass, it’s light and elegant. We suspect, though, that The Parish’s most-winning cocktail is its seasonal Sazerac, made to celebrate the women who, on Sept. 23, 1949, led the Storming of the Sazerac, which won their gender the right to, for the first time, be allowed to drink in a bar with men.
236 S. Scott Avenue 520-207-5678, owlsclubwest.com
14 S. Arizona Avenue 520-449-8673, highwiretucson.com
424 N. Fourth Avenue 520-882-0009, surlywenchpub.com
Surly Wench has featured local and touring burlesque shows since 2006. Stephka VonSnatch, believed to be related to an owner (wink, wink), hosts “Don’t Blink Burlesque” the first Monday of every month. Each show may have a different
producer and cast and a unique approach to the art’s possibilities. The burlesque performers regard their art as a form of self-expression. Most shows are meant to excite viewers and leave them wanting more. The performers’ security is assured.
READER RECOMMENDED Don’t Blink Burlesque dontblinkburlesque.com Libertine League tucsonlibertineleague.com
2130 N. Oracle Road
520-884-7210, curvescabaret.com
This is the eighth consecutive year Curves has owned this category. There’s a lot to appeal to strip club patrons in the environment that Curves offers. It’s conveniently located close to I-10 and Downtown Tucson. Amenities include VIP rooms, drink specials, a full menu, $1 burger and fries for lunch, and a twofor-one cover charge. The midcentury modern architecture and décor add to the charm, and we hear that the security is excellent.
5120 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-8367 dejavu.com/tens-showclub-tucson Raider’s Reef
6475 E. Golf Links Road 520-745-8125, raidersreeftucson.com
403 N. Sixth Avenue, Suite 135 520-344-8999
7254 N. Oracle Road 520-268-8725 facebook.com/thetapandbottle
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of Tap & Bottle’s success. It has repeatedly worked with local brewers to innovate and work toward a robust environment for brewing in Tucson. The result has been distinctive brews that tempt ever more beer drinkers to buy local. But Tap & Bottle also has the distinction of offering the widest selection for take-home customers. A patron could polish off a pint just perusing the bar’s cold cases.
Barrio Brewing
800 E. Sixth Street 520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Arizona Beer House 150 S. Kolb Road 520-207-8077
Barrio Brewing
800 E. Sixth Street 520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
The home of Tucson’s Best Beer, Barrio Blond, Barrio Brewing was Arizona’s first brewery when it opened in 1991. It’s also 100% employee owned. Inside an old factory as picturesque as a 1930s movie set, there’s a wood-paneled bar and restaurant. All three stories also have rooms suitable for any size party, meeting or special event. The brewery’s website helps customers find other Tucson locations that sell any of their 15 beers.
1859 W. Grant Road, Suite 111 520-329-3606, dragoonbrewing.com
Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. 228 E. Sixth Street, 520-444-5305 facebook.com/crookedtoothbrewing
538 E. Ninth Street 520-623-6811, buffetbartucson.com
The Buffet Bar has been in the same spot since 1934, next to a laundromat and a block from the railroad tracks. Never having been obliged to be chic, it’s moved hard in the opposite direction. Its walls are covered with graffiti. Its “Happy Minute” offers two-for-one drinks from 6 to 6:01 p.m. For a time, the bar proudly
claimed to serve only Coors beer. Now it offers Blue Moon on tap as well, but apparently in a nod to the new era, it now serves dozens of other brands, including a wide range of Mexican brews.
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge 4155 E. Grant Road, 520-326-1345 facebook.com/thesheltercocktaillounge
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Avenue 520-623-2088, cheslounge.com
Barrio Blonde, Barrio Brewing
800 E. 16th Street 520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
Barrio Brewing has mastered the challenge of making a refreshing, light-as-rainwater ale that tastes substantial and has just enough kick. In the best way, Barrio Blonde is the one beer for the zeitgeist that also generated hard seltzer. Luckily, it’s available almost everywhere including Circle K. It’s reportedly Southern Arizona’s bestselling craft beer.
Dragoon IP, Dragoon Brewing
1859 W. Grant Road, Suite 111 520-329-3606, dragoonbrewing.com
Barrio Rojo, Barrio Brewing
800 E. Sixth Street 520-791-2739, barriobrewing.com
139 S. Eastbourne Avenue 520-795-1819, barsidecar.com
Sidecar’s unique cocktail mixes appeal to elevated tastes with rare flavors and daring mixes, like the Americana made with light beer and bespoke bourbon, or the rye hanky panky with cardamom rye, bit-
ter vermouth, French vermouth, fernet, Calvados, agricole rum, burlesque bitters and mole bitters. The garden song with London dry gin, Cocchi Americano, cucumber shrub, celery salt and Peychaud’s bitters is made for a sunny day. Also, it can be justified because: vegetable.
101 E. Pennington Street, 520-882-5550 reillypizza.com/#tough-luck-club-section
536 N. Fourth Avenue 520-622-4300, skybartucson.com
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Hair stylist, dark punk fan, human tattoo art gallery and expert knife thrower Barb Trujillo is, above all, the people’s bartender. For other bartenders, she’s also a one-woman school for learning how to keep customers coming back. She makes people feel seen and heard with a warmth our own mothers may rarely muster. At the same time, we feel like she could keep us from a rolling tank.
Kim Ireland, Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge
2910 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-795-3178 facebook.com/dannysloungetucson
1632 S. Fourth Avenue, 520-888-5925
416 E. Ninth Street
520-329-2123, reveltucson.com
You’ll find all the familiar varieties on Revel’s two-page by-the-glass list, but why not try something new? Revel’s staff are as friendly and supportive as they are knowledgeable. Talk to them about the flavors you like best, and they may help you discover a new favorite. Those who love wine and want to know more can subscribe to Revel’s monthly wine club, or order from Revel’s 15-page bottle list online.
Arizona Wine Collective
4280 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 155 520-329-8595, azwinecollective.com
North Italia
2905 E. Skyline Drive 520-615-2561, northitalia.com
2660 N. Campbell Avenue, 520-326-7737
6450 E. Grant Road, 520-838-0809
prepandpastry.com
Mostly spacious, modern and full of light, Prep & Pastry has given breakfast a shot of pizzaz with creative menu items and the freshest pastries. They’ve also amped up the flavor and complexity of the most traditional breakfast drink next to coffee. The house bloody mary includes justright measures of guajillo and garlic-infused vodka, herbed mustard mix, house beer back and morning snack garnish. It’s a zesty motivation to face the day.
311 E. Congress Street 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Che’s Lounge
350 N. Fourth Avenue 520-623-2088, cheslounge.com
536 N. Fourth Avenue 520-622-4300, skybartucson.com
Dubbed a 100% solar-powered café by
day and an astronomy bar by night, SkyBar is a favorite of Tucson’s many astronomy fans and academics. Real astronomers act as sky docents on the patio with their telescopes every night. The bar’s specialty cocktails carry through on the theme with names like lunar lemonade, cosmic mule and starry night, also galactic jungle juice and cosmic Jell-O shots. Under the same ownership, Brooklyn Pizza next door delivers.
2564 E. Grant Road 520-323-7739, kingfishertucson.com
3143 E. Speedway Boulevard 520-325-0483, redgartertucson.com
and director of Tucson Improv Movement and the TIM Comedy theater, always seems to be beaming when he is there.
Lukasewicz is proud of creating and stewarding his vision for an improv company through its first 10 years, as of this month. He started with five improv students a decade ago and that has grown to 60 performing members, who stage five or six shows and a couple of jams every weekend. There are classes for aspiring comedians: five levels of improv and two levels of standup comedy.
Lukasewicz is passionate about his day job, too, as program manager at Greater Tucson Leadership. After several years as a UA residence director, he finds it rewarding to engage with Tucson’s businesses and social institutions, supporting and developing new leadership in our community.
The two jobs have more in common than we might think. Lukasewicz basically spends all his waking hours helping people grow.
“I always wanted TIM to be a safe space where people could learn the craft of improv, and if they ended up in a big city like New York, LA, or Chicago they could step into a class or on the stage with someone there and show that they know how improv works, that they could hold their own,” he said.
To that end, he said TIM classes teach “fast-paced, smart comedy” that pushes hard on the funniest aspect of a scene.
“The original vision was to bring longform improv comedy to Tucson,” Lukasewicz said, “and to create a space where our company members could bring their ideas forward to create new shows and new concepts to present to the public.
“If you come out to see a show, you will see a well curated show, with people who have worked hard to put something dynamic together. We produce great shows in an intimate professional theater environment.”
Everyone is especially welcome to
weigh in on his and his TIM leadership group’s success with all that this weekend. All TIM’s shows celebrate the 10th anniversary, and Lukasewicz reminds us that TIM sells beer and wine for anyone inspired to drink a toast to the occasion.
Thursday, Oct. 20 is something of an all-star show featuring winning teams from various internal competitions over the years. On Friday, Oct. 21, “The Soapbox,” which Lukasewicz considers the company’s flagship show, will host a favorite storyteller, Jeannette Mare, founder of Ben’s Bells, making her fifth appearance in the show. At 9 p.m., TIM standup class teachers and other favorite standup comedians in the company will perform sets.
Saturday, Oct 22 at 7:30 p.m., “TIM Through the Eras” will bring back favorite show formats from the company’s first decade, and at 9 p.m., the audience will see how many TIM improvisers can fit on its stage for a show.
Even as the company celebrates its decade past, Lukasiewicz is looking to its future.
“One of my favorite things about running the theater is walking in while a class or a rehearsal is happening and to just hear and watch people having a good time and laughing with one another.
“Our challenge now,” he said, “is to continue (progressing) with a larger company. How do we make sure we don’t get stuck in our ‘old ways’ now that we have ‘old ways’ of doing things? I want us to keep pushing the boundaries and learning and doing new things with the art form.”
Sounds like a job for a leadership development professional.
Among the first Latino comedians to embrace their ethnicity and confront racial stereotypes, George Lopez continues to advocate for Latino comics to move into the mainstream. He was the
focus of an award-winning documentary on the topic, “Brown Is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream.” He has said he tries to represent Latinos in a way that’s “true to their realities and aspirations.” He’s been at it so long, now he’s practically mainstream. He’s made four HBO specials, and co-created, wrote, produced and starred in an eponymous sitcom that ran for six seasons on ABC. He performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road. Tickets are $30 to $100 via hetix.com.
Those awards other comedians list in their credentials as “nominated for” — writer, actor and comedian John Mulaney probably has two. His bio is a laundry list of lauds and that’s why we probably should see him now before he outgrows our Tucson arena. Most noteworthy are his two Emmys and a much-coveted Writers Guild of America award. He also starred in the hit Broadway show “Oh, Hello”, which, with his costar Nick Kroll, morphed into a Netflix Special and a podcast of the same name. Mulaney performs “From Scratch” at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at the Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Avenue. Tickets are $23 to $147.50 via ticketmaster.com.
Arte Bella, 340 N. Fourth Avenue, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, Blazed and Amused Comedy Show: One Year An-
niversary with music by Lew Lepley, featuring Charles Ludwig, Ashley Tappen, Daryl Graves, Anthony Desamito, Steven Black, Rebecca Fox and Paul Fox. $10, 420-friendly
Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, The more-fabulous-than-life “Retro Game Show”, now in its 11th year, presents “The $9.95 Pyramid”. Prepare to laugh hard for the duration. dice.fm, $15
La ’s Comedy Ca e, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15, Collin Moulton has a new, family-friendly album, “Collin Cleans Up Well,” but will he? laffstucson.com. $15, $20 preferred seating.
Spark Project Collective Event Center, 4433 E Broadway Boulevard, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, The Dead Improvisors Society, free
Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd.,7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, Family-Friendly Improv; 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, “Weenie Halloween Kids Show,” 7:30 p.m. Family-Friendly Improv, 9 p.m. Uncensored Improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) and The Big Daddies; 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, “Weenie Halloween Kids Show,” unscrewedtheatre.org, $8 live or streaming, $5 kids live. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, Improv Dropin, free.
AS MUCH AS SHE LOVED ART, Alanna Airitam felt she didn’t belong in museums.
There were few people who looked like her on the walls and those who did were often portrayed in traumatic or violent situations.
When she left a 20-year career in advertising to become a full-time fine art photographer, she knew her art had to be different. The photographer moved to Tucson from San Diego in 2019, looking for larger, more affordable studio space.
Through Oct. 29, her series “The Golden Age” is on display at the University of Arizona’s Center for Creative Photography.
Ten large-scale portraits depict Black Americans in a way that is designed to be uplifting, empowering and dignified.
The portraits are modeled on the golden age of the Harlem Renaissance and each portrait is dubbed with the name of a saint, names pulled from street names in Harlem.
In her artist statement about “The Golden Age,” Airitam wrote, “Weary from experiencing how
people of color are treated, I feel called to create images of people who look like me presented with reverence and dignity. I began working on ‘The Golden Age’ during the spring of 2017, during which time I came to recognize ways I’ve allowed negative projections of others to hold me back artistically. I would spend
Saint Sugar Hill, 2017, is just one of 10 large scale works by Alanna Airitram now being exhibited at the Center for Creative Photography. (ALANNA AIRITRAM/SUBMITTED)
time in museums admiring the lighting in European Renaissance paintings, while feeling how far the whole experience was from my own reality. I understood how uncomfortable I was in art spaces, that in so many unspoken ways I didn’t belong.”
Airitam said she learned while creating this series how important it is for people of color to use their voice. She said Black people have historically been put into positions where they must silence themselves for self-preservation.
“We’ve learned these ways of acclimating to our environment,” Airitam said.
“Sometimes that looks like taking a lot of abuse. Sometimes — a lot of times — it looks like code switching. In a lot of these situations where we’re not able to really, fully be ourselves and to be heard and to be taken seriously, we’ve learned
to silence ourselves. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned working on ‘Golden Age’ is that that is not acceptable anymore. We have to use our voice and it is important for me to use my voice. That’s the only way we’re going to incite some level of change in a way that is encompassing of human rights.”
Rebecca Senf, the exhibition’s curator at the Center for Creative Photography, said she first saw Airitam’s work at the Museum of the African Diaspora in California.
“I was just blown away,” Senf said.
“The work was so strong and hearing her talk about her process really deepened my understanding of the project. Then realizing she was local to Tucson made it seem like such an exciting opportunity that we might be able to share this work with the Tucson audience.”
“The Golden Age” was the first collection she created after committing to a career as a full-time artist. It was a way to stave off the depression and the insecurity that came from switching careers.
The models were friends and friends of friends, people she reached out to as a way of making sure that she was doing the work she needed to do.
“When I left my job, I wanted to make sure I was going to pick up my camera every day,” Airitam said.
“I knew that if I called people and asked them to come over and sit for me, then I didn’t have an excuse. I had a friend come over and she sat, and we did a portrait and then I looked at it and
thought, this is amazing. I’m going to go back and do another one tomorrow with somebody else.”
The title of the collection refers to the era of portrait painting when Dutch Old Masters created images of the merchant class celebrating their wealth and social status. Airitam used many of the same looks and props to create her contempo rary portraits — dramatic lighting, rich fabrics and symbolic items.
As an artist, Airitam felt excluded and that her voice was silent.
“The work is gorgeous evidence to the fact that she has something to contribute to that conversation,” Senf said.
“By producing these works that offer a vision of her colleagues, her peers, her community and the way she perceives them — it brings a kind of vision into a larger conversation and enriches the kind of conversation that can be had.”
The work, Senf said, brings into focus a vision that circulates and becomes part of the language used to discuss issues of representation, race, identity and inclu sion.
When it came time to display the works, Senf said that Amy Baker, the CCP’s ex hibition designer, researched the Nether landish tradition of still life and portrait painting and the blossoming of the new middle and merchant class in Harlem.
“She studied that period and looked at how residences were painted and she studied a lot of other bodies of work in this group of paintings and listened to how Alanna talked about the project,” Senf said.
“She and Alanna just worked back and forth. It was really this great process of us producing an exhibition where the
whole design underscored and supported the body of work.”
This included giving each of the portraits plenty of space, with each work near ly having its own wall.
“The environment allows for people to engage with a print individually and then together as a group,” Senf said.
Airitam said she was thrilled with the vision the staff had for how they want ed to present the work. She loved the idea of painting the walls in the sort of col ors that you would see in an old colonial building — deep reds and blues. She described it as working very well in that space — in large part because of the people she worked with and their vision for the exhibit.
Airitam’s portraits cele brate the strength and beau ty of each person who posed for the collection. While she uses props and costumes, she stressed she wasn’t try ing to make them into char acters or caricatures, rather she was cap turing the way she really saw them.
“As I’m draping the fabric on them, I’m working with a really organic and sort of intuitive energy,” Airitam said.
“I allowed the feeling to sort of guide what the portrait was going to look like.”
She tried to give as much freedom to her sitters as possible, a process that she said taught her she doesn’t have to control everything. Sometimes she even
grabbed unexpected moments. In the St. Nicholas portrait, he happened to be looking off camera and talking to his mother when Airitam shot the picture, capturing him with his hand on his hip and the grapes in his hand.
“A lot of those poses were just poses that they pop themselves into,” Airitam said. “Once the wardrobe was set into place, this other sort of energy arose out of them. It was just a beautiful collabora
tion between all of us.”
Airitam said the CCP has one of the largest photo ar chives in the country and that it is an important place for photographers. She said she feels honored to be a part of that and part of the history.
And unlike how she felt at museums for the longest time, she now feels included.
“From my perspective as a Black female artist, it’s im portant to me to be in that space and inhabit that space because, in large part, it’s been a very white male-dominated space,” she said.
“For them to open up that space for the first time (since the pandemic started) with this work is impactful. There is a lot of meaning in that, espe cially in the state our country is in right now. Coming out of this was this wonderful affir mation of belonging.”
WHEN: Through Oct. 29
WHERE: The University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road, Tucson
Free
ccp.arizona.edu
By Bridgette Redman Tucson Local Media
debating whether to take on a new proj ect at the Seattle Opera, the conductor, Michael Sakir, told her, “This opera will change your life.”
She took the job — performing as the central character in a new opera, “The Falling and the Rising,” roles which she and Sakir will reprise for the Arizona Op era Saturday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Oct. 23, in Tucson.
“I will never forget him saying that and it did change my life,” Altiveros said. “It changed my perspective. It changed my understanding and made me sit up and pay attention to the fact that I had my own prejudices that I needed to deal with. Mostly, it enabled a path for dia logue with a group of people that I have never been able to sit across the table with and certainly not make art with. It changed my view on myself as a citizen and my view on this world.”
“The Falling and the Rising” is a five-person opera based on the true sto ries of American military service mem bers and veterans who have been wound ed in the line of duty. Conceived of by Army Staff Sgt. Ben Hilget, who was an opera singer before he enlisted, it took shape when he, Zach Redler and Jerre Dye visited the Walter Reed Medical Center to interview wounded soldiers.
“The Falling and the Rising” breaks ground in its goals and its staging. Pro jections play an important role in the production. It is filled with humor — there are traditional opera singing deliveries of such lines as “You’d better get your ass in gear.”
Hilget says the opera aptly captures the sacrifices that modern service mem bers make. He said he and the other op era creators were immediately floored by the stories that they heard when they started interviewing people at Walter Reed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard, to date,
more powerful stories of resilience and strength,” Hilget says.
One of the first interviewees was a specialist who had been in a coma after being thrown from a Humvee. He dreamt a life that he didn’t have and even six months after he woke up, he was still try ing to figure out what was real and what was not.
“He gained the power of speech back through music therapy — he actually learned to sing before he could speak,” Hilget says. “He spoke with a profound wisdom for someone of his age and still in the middle of trauma.”
They spoke to so many people in a three-day period that he said they could have written 10 operas.
Dennis Whitehead Darling had just fin ished serving as the inaugural McCleave Fellow in Directing at Opera Memphis, a fellowship designed to fostering the ca reers of directors of color, when he went to see Opera Memphis’ production of the opera.
“It’s quite beautiful and poignant and painful and emotional and rich with beautiful themes of sacrifice and pain,” Darling says.
He is now directing the Arizona Opera production. As someone who contem plated going into the military and whose father, uncle, brother and stepsister all served, this opera touches on his ties. He says he feels people get a better under standing of what it takes to serve in the military and the sacrifice, duty and honor involved.
“There are no live scenes of people be ing shot at, but it does deal with injury and that sort of falling that the soldier goes through emotionally and physical ly,” Darling says.
“Then it’s about this wonderful tri umph of the rising of how they somehow find this miraculous strength to over come any sort of emotional or physical pain. It honors their sacrifice.”
Altiveros says the music and score are designed to attract civilians and soldiers. She describes it as accessible and melod ic.
“It’s meant to help us appreciate and acknowledge the sacrifices that are made, the good parts and the bad parts about enlisting and the hardships of it,” Altiveros says.
While not traditionally a subject of opera, the stories of sacrifice and injury translate well to the art form, Altiveros says.
“The stakes are so high — there is a risk of life and death and injury and things like that, but real human relationships are affected and in a very large way,” Al tiveros says.
“Anytime you can tell that story of hu man relationships on stage, it lends itself to opera. Opera can heighten that sense of emotion.”
She recently spoke with art producers who were concerned about whether this opera would be too heavy and traumat ic for audiences who are stressed in a post-pandemic world. She was eager to allay those fears.
“It’s not that this does not address (traumatic) topics — the whole premise essentially is when a female soldier is hit in a roadside bombing, and they put
her in a medically-induced coma. The en tirety of the rest of the opera is her wan dering through her subconscious and coming across these different soldiers’ stories,” Altiveros says.
“That is the background for these sto ries to happen, but it’s meant to leave you feeling uplifted. It’s not a downer.”
Altiveros said she cries in almost every single rehearsal because she is so moved by the stories, and she is certain the audi ence will be moved too.
“But it’s not meant to traumatize,” Al tiveros said. “It’s meant to leave you feel ing really hopeful about and grateful for the work that our soldiers are doing. It’s not meant to take you to a really, really dark place and then leave you there. I want to make sure people know that.”
WHEN: Various times Saturday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Oct. 23
WHERE: Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue in Tucson
COST: See website for details
azopera.org
a dynamic combination of the wellknown and the forward thinking, the Juil liard String Quartet continues to electri fy concertgoers the world over.
This do so through a shared commit ment to presenting audiences with the time-honored wonders of the string quar tet, through the ensemble’s rendition of classical masterpieces, while at the same time fostering curiosity by upholding the mission of championing new works by contemporary composers.
Formed in 1946, as the quartet-in-res idence at the Juilliard School, its fore bears’ intent was clear: “To play new works as if they were established master pieces and established masterpieces as if they were new works.” Over the course of a storied history, the latest in a long line of descendants to assume the mantle of this esteemed institution have stayed true to the original mission statement.
After a long absence — since Decem ber 2018 when The Juilliard String Quar tet last performed as part of Arizona Friends of Chamber Music’s Evening Se ries — the venerable quartet returns for
a two-night engagement on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Leo Rich Theater.
As fate would have it, the ensemble was again slated to perform in Tucson in December 2020, but to no avail. As the pandemic continued to cast an ominous pall worldwide, in place of a live perfor mance the quartet released an online video while in lockdown, rehearsing the works of Jörg Widmann.
As COVID-19 restrictions began to loosen, the same program was resched uled for November 2021. That concert was subsequently canceled due to the progressing illness of British violist Rog er Tapping.
Tapping died of cancer in January at his home in Manhattan. He was 61.
In his lifetime, Tapping’s artistry was at the core of three prominent string quartets: The Allegri Quartet, which he joined in 1989; the Takács Quartet, which brought him to the United States in 1995; and, finally, the Juilliard Quartet, begin ning in 2013.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this season, the present incarnation consists
of violinist Areta Zhulla, occupying the first chair, cellist Astrid Schween, second violinist Ronald Copes and violist Molly Carr, the most recent addition to the ven erable Juilliard String Quartet, filling the void left by Tapping.
Carr serves on the faculties of the Man hattan School of Music and Bard College Conservatory and with this appointment joins the Juilliard college faculty.
“I am honored and so grateful to be joining the Juilliard String Quartet, an ensemble that I have looked up to and been inspired by my entire musical life,” Carr says. “It is such an immense privi lege to be invited to follow my late men tor and friend Roger Tapping in carrying
on the much-revered, decades-long tradi tions of this historic quartet.”
“After the loss of our beloved colleague and friend Roger Tapping, we are thrilled to be welcoming Molly Carr as the new violist of the Juilliard String Quartet,” Zhulla, Copes and Schween said in a statement. “Molly brings to our work to gether fantastic collaborative energy, a deeply probing curiosity and a passion for sharing that has marked the members of the quartet through its history. We are eager to start this next chapter with her.”
A highlight of the 2022-23 season, showcasing the ensemble’s unparalleled virtuosity and enduring vitality, the Juil
liard String Quartet will premiere two string quartets by celebrated German composer Jörg Widmann to perform alongside late quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Widmann’s studies on pre-existing works have been described “as not in the least epigonic, but rather elaborate obei sances.”
The Juilliard String Quartet’s evening program this coming Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Leo Rich Theater features: Bee thoven’s “String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130;” the world premiere of Wid mann’s “String Quartet No. 8” — a study on Beethoven’s III — and String Quartet No. 10, “Cavatina” — a study on Beetho ven’s V; and closing with Beethoven’s “Grosse Fuge in B-flat Major, Op. 133.”
The Juilliard String Quartet’s record ing “Beethoven: The Late String Quar tets” won a Grammy Award in 1985 for best chamber music performance.
Spanning the transition from the clas sical period to the romantic era, Beetho ven remains one of the most venerated and enduring composers in the history of Western music. His “Late String Quar tets” — a project commissioned by Rus sian Prince Nicholas Galitzin, a cellist in his own right — were composed during the final years of his life, between 1824 and 1826.
The evening program on Thursday, Oct. 27, features: Beethoven’s “String
Quartet in F Major, Op. 135,” the last ma jor work he completed months before taking his last breath in March of 1827; highly regarded Jamaican born Brit ish composer Eleanor Alberga’s “String Quartet No. 2,” a work described as a pure shot of adrenaline; and Antonín Dvorák’s “String Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105,” his last piece of instrumental chamber music in a vast oeuvre is considered a masterwork of superb construction and undeniable inspiration.
In December 2018, when Tucson was last gifted with a performance, the world-renowned Juilliard String Quar tet executed the Yuletide concert as with the unfailing hands of surgeons. Over the course of the evening, the chamber ensemble performed with barely con tainable ardor and breathtaking mastery — stewarding the near capacity audience to dizzying heights until allowing it to rupture into sharply pointed spires — ef fortlessly laying claim to a shared sover eignty as one of the world’s finest string quartets.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 27
WHERE: Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson COST: $32; $10 students INFO: 520-791-4101, leorichthe ater.com
By David Abbott
chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws director and Southern Arizona NORML founder Mike Robinette resigned from his volunteer position after more than four years of successfully leading the organization.
In the vacuum left by his departure, the SOAZNORML contingency has become younger and more diverse as it seeks to expand its reach in the cannabis political landscape.
“We have a whole new face of Southern Arizona NORML now: It’s a whole new look and we’re wanting to include the younger community and reach
out to them as much as possible,” said SOAZNORML co-director Kelly Davis.
“A lot of that community thinks that regulations have been set and we’re good to go. Well, that is not necessarily the case.”
Davis, a mother of three and cannabis business entrepreneur, has taken over a key position in the organization and along with fellow cannabis advocate Samba Jarju and a handful of volunteers, have picked up the gauntlet and are moving the organization forward.
Davis founded Kelly’s Natural Aromatherapy in 2014, focusing on CBD- and Delta-8-based products, and Jarju, an African American Navy veteran, estab-
lished Tucson House of Cannabis (THC) in 2018.
Davis is a Tucson native and multi-generational Arizonan who has a deep and personal connection to medical marijuana and CBD. Throughout her adult life and three difficult pregnancies, she has depended on the plant to help get past health issues without relying on heavy pharmaceuticals.
As a child of the ’90s, Davis was immersed in D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) at school, but said she never bought into it. She said she started smoking pot as a teenager and found her calling at a young age.
“I knew when I was 11 that I wanted to be a part of NORML,” Davis said. “I was in the D.A.R.E. era, but our brains aren’t frying on the stove. Because of that, I knew the government had something against the plant, but early on in my life, I recognized that the plant was there for medicinal use.”
Her medical problems have been numerous, from anxiety, depression and epilepsy to PTSD, as well as injuries from car crashes.
But Davis has also suffered from en-
Kelly Davis, cannabis business entrepreneur, will step into the a key role in the Arizona champter of NORML, which was left open when Mike Robinette resigned from the volunteer position. (SUBMITTED)
dometriosis, a condition that affects the female reproductive system, as well as hyperemesis gravidarum, a complication that causes life-threatening nausea dur ing pregnancy.
When doctors wanted to place her on a Zofran drip—an anti-nausea medicine used for cancer patients that can cause serious and life-threatening side-effects— Davis knew she would rather stick with natural medicines rather than opioids or their synthetic counterparts.
She credits the plant with helping her kick such drugs as Xanax and Trama dol—an opioid used to combat chronic pain.
“I’ve smoked through my pregnancies because I had to,” she said. “During my last pregnancy, I was sick for 34 weeks, but now I have a 27-year-old, a 25-yearold and a nine-year-old, and my older kids are productive members of society: They both graduated high school with flying colors, they both graduated from college and they both have kids that are perfectly fine. I can tell you through and through that it didn’t affect them at all.”
She’s been NORML-adjacent for some time, but it was back in June she decided she wanted to get more deeply involved with the organization. Less than two months later, Davis was granted her wish, albeit not to the extent she expected.
Robinette’s departure was a shock to the organization, but was not wholly un expected given the amount of work he did throughout the past few years. Dur ing the runup to the 2020 election when Arizona voters passed Prop 207 legaliz ing adult-use, recreational marijuana, former Arizona NORML director, the late Mikel Weisser died in May 2020.
It was at that point Robinette shoul dered the responsibilities of leading the consumer advocacy group during one of the most critical times in its existence.
According to Jon Udell, who now shares co-directorship of the state chap ter with board member Allison Stein, continuing AZNORML’s mission will require contributions from a wide variety of members to fill all of the roles Robi nette took on himself.
“It’s a lot of work and Mike certainly shouldered a lot of it,” Udell said. “He would just do whatever it took to keep
the wheels turning. What we’re going through in SOAZNORML is similar to what we’re dealing with at AZNORML as a whole with trying to spread Mike’s responsibilities out amongst a group of people, and have us all still keep our jobs on top of it. That’s easier said than done.”
In addition to diversifying the new leadership of SOAZNORML, Jarju is bringing a wealth of experience, both
good and bad, to the organization and opening up a traditionally marginalized community to cannabis advocacy.
Jarju served in the U.S. Navy from 2004-2012 performing maritime interdic tion for counterterrorism, anti-piracy and drug smuggling, among other duties.
“We were chasing cartels and had to learn how they operated and the things they did,” he said. “We got to see the bru tal end and the positive sides of not just the cannabis industry, but the world as a whole.”
With deployments to the Caribbean and Central America, West Africa, East Africa, North Africa, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, Jarju saw the world through a unique perspective, but when he returned to the U.S. the sum of his ex periences began to catch up.
By 2015, exposure to toxins and PTSD began to affect his health so he turned to cannabis to ease his pain. At the same time, his father was suffering from mul tiple myeloma. Jarju himself almost died in 2017 after he “flatlined” for 16 minutes when a thyroid condition put him in a coma.
“Cannabis has been something that was there for me when my father was passing, and it was something that I wanted to share with him,” Jarju said. “I had already seen how much it could help me, not just by body and my mind, but by being able to find love and compassion again, which was something that was so hard after losing parts of my soul over seas.”
In addition to his ser vice, Jarju has experience in the tech field, working for the Intel Corp for three and a half years after he left the service.
In all, Jarju and Davis bring a wide variety of experiences to the organ ization along with energy and conviction to bring NORML’s message to a more diverse and younger demographic.
“It’s at a point where as more people find out about the terrible things that have happened and the injustices that are go ing on, they are realizing
there’s common ground,” Jarju said. “The foundation that we need to build on is the understanding that there is common ground, especially in a state like Arizona.”
But it all comes back to a loose organization of volunteers trying to guide legalization through legislation and providing information to the public as they try to balance their lives and experiences through work that is critical to the future of cannabis users throughout the state.
“The big challenge is that it’s hard to have an all-volunteer organization function at such a high level, because you’re looking for people that are really skilled,” Udell said. “Most people, unless you’re independently super-rich, need to work to keep a roof over their heads.”
For more information, or to volunteer or sponsor Arizona NORML or Southern Arizona NORML, go to arizonanorml.org or soaznorml.org or find them on Facebook.
President Joe Biden shocked the world last week, when on Thursday he announced pardons for all low-level federal cannabis possession charges.
In a press release dated Oct. 6, 2022, Biden stated the following:
“As I often said during my campaign for president, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit. Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational op-
portunities. And while white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.”
Biden has historically been a proponent of harsh penalties for even the most benign drug infractions, so the Weedly applauds the idea that progress on a federal level is being made.
In addition to the nationwide pardon, the Administration is encouraging governors in all 50 states to follow his example. He has asked the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Department of Justice to consider the impacts of rescheduling cannabis, now a Schedule I narcotic on the same level as heroin and LSD, and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine, which are perpetually at the heart of drug-related “epidemics” in the U.S.
There are several classifications for drugs in the U.S. and the lists can seem random at times, but as a general rule, as the classification number is higher, the potential for “abuse” gets lower.
For instance, Schedule 3 includes substances such as anabolic steroids and testosterone; Schedule 4, drugs like Xanax, Valium and Ambien, while Schedule 5 includes substances with a lower possibility of abuse than Schedule 4. The Weedly believes that might be where one would find ice cream and caffeine, but we don’t have time to Google it.
White House officials say the pardons will affect somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,500 people, as well as thousands more in the District of Columbia.
But “rescheduling” is not sitting well with many advocates, as there would still be unreasonable penalties for anyone caught with reasonable amounts of the
plant.
“Although President Biden’s announcement today does not end the stain of federal prohibition, it could be a significant step in that direction. We applaud the president’s long-overdue application of common sense to federal drug policy and hope our country will finally end the long-running joke of medical marijuana patients being treated no differently than heroin addicts in the eyes of federal law,” Arizona NORML acting Co-Director Jon Udell stated in a press release in the hours following the announcement. “We are also encouraged by the president’s decision to pardon thousands of cannabis consumers. From hosting 60 expungement clinics, we know too well the collateral consequences that cannabis convictions bring, as well as the economic inefficiencies they produce for society at large. We call on Gov. Ducey and Attorney General Brnovich to use their full authority to unwind the consequences of Arizona’s longtime war on cannabis consumers.”
Randal McDonald, supervising attorney at the Post-Conviction Clinic at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, said that while the President’s action is a good start, there is still a lot of work to be done before there will be justice for cannabis consumers caught up in the decades-long war on drugs.
“It’s an excellent start and a step in the right direction, but it probably won’t affect a lot of people,” McDonald said. “Our initial reaction was, what is this going to mean to clients in state court? Probably not much. We’ll have to see what the federal courts do, but a pardon doesn’t do anything to seal your record.” McDonald, who works with the Arizona Justice Project, an organization charged
with leading the expungement program in the state and funded by monies specified in Prop 207, said that real reform will have to come through Congress.
As far as dealing with the records of people with low-level marijuana convictions though, he believes the expungement system is a better model.
“Expungement is better because when they seal the record it’s like it never happened,” he said. “A pardon won’t go as far as that, but we don’t yet know if the DOJ will seal the records. It’s still entirely possible it will still be on the record and effect things like jobs and housing for those with convictions.”
Arizona’s expungement program began in July 2021 and the process has been slow and laborious, at best.
According to the AJP, as of March 2022 there have been 14,458 expungement petitions submitted to the courts, but no number has been given for the total number granted.
The AJP has worked to determine the number of petitions that have been granted through public records requests, but the responses have been piecemeal from each county.
any changes
approve
the link attached to this proof.
According to the communications director for the state Supreme Court, as of March 2022, the following number of petitions have been granted:
• Gila County, 35 granted as of Aug. 4;
• Mohave County, 12 granted as of July 20;
• Navajo County, 21 granted as of July 20;
• Pima County, 70 granted as of June 30;
• Santa Cruz, four granted as of July 21;
• Yavapai, 102 granted as of July 20.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has led the way with expungements in the state and as of late July, was approaching 15,000 in total.
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) “We must be willing to let go of the life we panned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Aries mythologist Joseph Campbell said that, and now I’m passing it on to you just in time for the Sacred Surrender Phase of your astrological cycle. Make sage use of Campbell’s wisdom, Aries! You will generate good fortune for your self as you work to release expectations that may be interfering with the arrival of new stories and adventures. Be brave, my dear, as you relinquish outdated attach ments and shed defunct hopes.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) Plastic bags are used for an average of 12 minutes be fore being discarded. Then they languish in our soil or oceans, degrading slowly as they cause mayhem for animals and eco systems. In alignment with current cos mic rhythms, I’m encouraging you to be extra discerning in your relationship with plastic bags—as well as with all other un productive, impractical, wasteful things and people. In the coming weeks, you will thrive by focusing on what will serve you with high integrity for a long time.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Achilleas Frangakis is a professor of electron mi croscopy. He studies the biochemistry of cells. In one of his research projects, he investigated how cells interact with the outside world. He didn’t learn much about that question, but as he experi mented, he inadvertently uncovered fas cinating new information about anoth er subject: how cells interact with each other when they heal a wound. His “suc cessful failure” was an example of what scientists sometimes do: They miss what they looked for, but find unexpected data and make serendipitous discoveries. I suspect you will experience comparable luck sometime soon, Gemini. Be alert for goodies you weren’t in quest of.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) Renowned Brazilian novelist Osman Lins was born under the sign of Cancer the Crab. He wrote, “I will now live my life with the inventiveness of an engineer who drives his locomotive off the tracks. No more beaten paths: improvisation is the rule.”
In the coming weeks, I am all in favor of you, my fellow Cancerian, being an inventive adventurer who improvises liberally and departs from well-worn routes. However, I don’t recommend you do the equivalent of running your train off the tracks. Let’s instead imag ine you as piloting a four-wheel-drive, all-terrain vehicle. Go off-road to explore. Improvise enthusiastically as you recon noiter the unknown. But do so with scru pulous attention to what’s healthy and inspiring.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) In recent years, art historians have recovered numerous masterpieces that had been missing for years. They include a sculpture by Ber nini, a sketch by Picasso, a drawing by Albrecht Dürer, and a painting by Tit ian. I’m a big fan of efforts like these: searching for and finding lost treasures. And I think you should make that a fun project in the coming weeks. Are there any beautiful creations that have been lost or forgotten? Useful resources that have been neglected? Wild truths that have been buried or underestimated? In accordance with astrological potentials, I hope you will explore such possibilities.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) The most important experience for you to seek in the coming months is to be seen and re spected for who you really are. Who are the allies best able to give you that bless ing? Make vigorous efforts to keep them close and treat them well. To inspire your mission, I offer you three quotes. 1. Franz Kafka said, “All the love in the world is useless if there is a total lack of under standing.” 2. Anais Nin wrote, “I don’t want worship. I want understanding.”
3. George Orwell: “Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be under stood.”
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) Libra poet Wallace Stevens said that the great po ems of heaven and hell have already been written, and now it is time to gen erate the great poems of earth. I’d love to invite all Libras, including non-writers, to apply that perspective in their own sphere. Just forget about heaven and
hell for now. Turn your attention away from perfection and fantasylands and lofty heights. Disregard pathologies and muck and misery. Instead, explore and celebrate the precious mysteries of the world as it is. Be a connoisseur of the beauty and small miracles embedded in life’s little details. Find glory in the rou tine.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) Here are two top Scorpio pastimes: 1. exploring and deploying your intense, fertile cre ativity; 2. spiraling gleefully down into deep dark voids in pursuit of deep dark riches. Sometimes those two hobbies dovetail quite well; you can satisfy both pursuits simultaneously. One of my fa vorite variations on this scenario is when the deep dark void you leap into turns out to actually be a lush wonderland that stimulates your intense, fertile creativity. According to my analysis of the astrolog ical omens, that’s likely to happen soon.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) “I don’t want to be made pacified or made com fortable. I like stuff that gets your adren aline going.” Sagittarian filmmaker Kath ryn Bigelow said that. With the help of this attitude, she became the first woman ever to win an Academy Award for Best Director. Her film was The Hurt Locker, about American soldiers in Iraq who dis pose of unexploded bombs while being harassed by enemies. Anyway, Bigelow’s approach is usually too hard-ass for me. I’m a sensitive Cancer the Crab, not a bold Sagittarius the Centaur like Bige low and you. But I don’t want to assume you’re in the mood for her approach. If you are, though, the coming weeks will be
a favorable time to deploy it. Some mar velous epiphanies and healing changes will be available if you forswear stuff that makes you pacified or comfortable.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) Author Jan Richardson tells us we can’t return home by taking the same route we used when we departed. This will be wise advice for you to keep in mind during the next nine months. I expect you will be attempting at least two kinds of homecomings. For best results, plan to travel by different routes than those that might seem natural and obvi ous. The most direct path—the successful passage—may be circuitous.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) In the com ing days, maintain strict boundaries be tween yourself and anyone or anything that’s not healthy for you. Be ultra-dis cerning as you decide which influences you will allow to affect you and which you won’t. And rather than getting sour and tense as you do this, I recommend you proceed with wicked humor and sly irony. Here are three saucy self-protec tive statements you can use to ward off threats and remain inviolable. 1. “The current ambiance does not align sweetly with my vital soul energy; I must go track down some more harmonious karma.” 2. “This atmosphere is out of sync with my deep precious selfness; I am compelled to take my deep precious selfness else where.” 3. “The undertones here are agi tating my undercurrents; it behooves me to track down groovier overtones.”
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) While asleep, have you ever dreamt of discover ing new rooms in a house or other build ing you know well? I bet you will have at least one such dream soon. What does it mean? It suggests you want and need to get in touch with parts of yourself that have been dormant or unavailable. You may uncover evocative secrets about your past and present that had been un known to you. You will learn about new resources you can access and provocative possibilities you had never imagined.
for
of
or
the aisle,
a rind
locale for
beach” in
companion
for a pendant
40-Across, what’s fatefully “cast” in a quote
to Julius Caesar
Baker y container [Spanish]
37-Across
of
unexpectedly
the
of
Scottish
Ingalls family’s
house
Scottish
the
Ingalls
house
the
24-,
and
the
vis-à-vis
par t rankenstein”
on TV
with
aptly
in
of good
hidden
the second word in 17-, 24-, 37-/40-, 38-
the boot
food cooked
numbers?
Chris of
X3 and
for three
some church
guy
of the Huxtable
of cuatro
TV kid whose name
like
down,
